It’s no secret that Rangers are facing one of the biggest rebuilds in the clubs history this summer. That being said, there seems to be a concern from fans regarding some of the players linked recently. Players from the Championship are being linked left, right and centre and with some groups of fans that is causing doubt regarding the recruitment strategy.
The truth is, the English market is massively saturated and doesn’t represent good value for money, mostly because of the money already in English football. There are exceptions though, and these two fall into that category. The free agent market is something that Rangers definitely need to explore this summer, the money to spend isn’t unlimited and Michael Beale has suggested that there could be double digits in terms of players coming in.
That doesn’t come cheap, Rangers aren’t a club who can bring in ten players worth £3-4m anymore, those days are long gone. There will be positions that the club need to spend a bit more money on to get a quality replacement but when there are players with experience at the highest level available for free, you need to take a gamble on some of them.
Jack Butland would come in and be first choice for next season, no doubt about it. Transfer fee wise that saves the club at least a couple of million which can be spent elsewhere. The biggest issue, which has been apparent recently is the lack of cutting edge from the forwards. With Kent and Morelos out of contract and interest in Scott Wright, that means the club need to bring in AT LEAST three forwards this summer.
Forward players, generally, cost more due to their impact on results and that is where Rangers really need to spend the money. This team needs goal scorers and creators, those players don’t come cheap! That’s why these transfer are very smart pieces of business from the club. You can secure a first choice goalkeeper with EPL and international experience for free and he’s only 30? Bargain.
Then Kieran Dowell, a creative midfielder capable of playing all across the middle of pitch and behind the striker. Someone, similar to Cantwell, who hasn’t reached the levels that were expected of them at a young age. He still oozes quality when he’s on the pitch, he has a wonderful left foot and is capable of creating something from nothing. These type of players don’t normally come cheap.
Dowell made his Everton debut as a teenager and played with England every level up to U21, there’s a player in there who just needs to kick start their career. Look how well that worked out for Todd Cantwell, could the same happen with Kieran Dowell?
Fans frustrations at mostly being linked to players across the border is understandable, but these two deals represent good value for money. As much as fans want the club to spend big, which they will in SPFL terms, Michael Beale isn’t sitting on a war chest. He and the club need to be smart with some transfers this summer and these two would only be the start.
The free transfer market is something Rangers must explore this summer due to the size of rebuild necessary. How would you feel if Butland and Dowell were confirmed to be coming to Ibrox?