Rangers' transfer window analysed: Is van Bronckhorst's squad stronger after summer?

Giovanni van Bronckhorst had expected Ridvan Yilmaz to be the last arrival of the window earlier in the month and reaffirmed that view following Tuesday’s win against Queen of the South, saying: “this is the squad we’re going to have”.

However, comments made to Sky Sports earlier in the month kept the reality of further transfer activity alive, with the manager admitting “crazy” things can happen towards the window’s end.

And after Champions League football was secured last week widespread expectation of further squad investment followed. In practice, the departures of Stephen Kelly, Mateusz Zukowski and Niko Katic were the only pieces of business done post-Eindhoven, meaning the window played out as follows:

In: John Souttar, Ben Davies, Ridvan Yilmaz, Malik Tillman, Tom Lawrence, Rabbi Matondo, Antonio Colak

Out: Andy Firth, Leon Balogun, Niko Katic, Jack Simpson, Mateusz Zukowski, Calvin Bassey, Joe Aribo, Jake Hastie, Glen Middleton, Cedric Itten, Stephen Kelly

So, how well placed are Rangers heading into the season?

Goalkeepers

Jon McLaughlin, Allan McGregor, Robby McCrorie

Not a position immune to discussion over the summer, but Jon McLaughlin’s performance in Eindhoven was commanding and decisive. Rangers’ build-up play has benefitted from the 34-year-old’s comfort attracting pressure and passing out from the back. Against Ross County last weekend the opening goal offered a perfect demonstration of the benefits of such an approach.

Allan McGregor’s start against Queen of the South suggests he may well be the ‘cup keeper’ this season unless Robby McCrorie can force his way into consideration.

Defenders

James Tavernier, Adam Devine, Connor Goldson, John Souttar, Leon King, James Sands, Ben Davies, Filip Helander, Borna Barisic, Ridvan Yilmaz

When everyone’s fit, van Bronckhorst has variation and quality in reserve at the back. But in John Souttar and Filip Helander, Rangers have two centre-backs with consistent injury problems in recent years and a ‘when everyone’s fit’ argument is always precarious. James Sands has been the club’s standout defender in Champions League qualifiers and his performance on the ball in Eindhoven demonstrated the value of his intelligent line-breaking passing from the back. Ben Davies should provide stern competition based on the fee he arrived for, but has only started one game at time of writing.

Rangers’ significant investment this summer has come on the left side of the defence and the Davies-Ridvan partnership needs to impact games sooner rather than later.

Midfielders

John Lundstram, Steven Davis, Glen Kamara, Ryan Jack, Charlie McCann

While calls for a creative deep-lying midfielder hold weight, Lundstram is rightly going to play every game and last weekend’s 4-0 win against County stood up the opinion that van Bronckhorst must opt for two attacking midfielders at home. Lundstram has shown at the start of this season an ability to create when freed from the responsibility of sitting in front of the centre-backs, particularly during a home win against St Johnstone.

Rangers will hope that Europe can bring the best out of Glen Kamara, who looked excellent at points away against PSV, but can the Finnish international impact games offensively in the league? Steven Davis clearly still has a part to play at the age of 37, as does Ryan Jack who admittedly hasn’t looked at his best in early fixtures.

Attacking midfielders/wingers

Scott Wright, Rabbi Matondo, Malik Tillman, Tom Lawrence, Scott Arfield, Ianis Hagi, Alex Lowry, Ryan Kent, Fashion Sakala

Malik Tillman and Tom Lawrence appear to be excellent additions. Both have taken little time to adjust, provided a greater goal threat and offer van Bronckhorst the option of playing an attack-minded midfield three. However, without Ianis Hagi and Alex Lowry available now are Rangers a little light behind the striker? Scott Arfield has repeatedly reminded supporters of his qualities in August but isn’t getting younger and Kamara just feels better suited to playing a line down.

It remains to be seen if Rabbi Matondo can nail down the right-sided attacking role that many tallied as top priority this summer. And while Lawrence and Tillman have both played an inverted role from that side, allowing Tavernier to provide width, domestically, their inclusion out wide domestically leaves a hole in the middle. Scott Wright impressed last weekend against County, but most would consider him a squad player.

Strikers

Antonio Colak, Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe

Van Bronckhorst said in midweek that he expects Alfredo Morelos to remain a Rangers player, adding: “I have seen a change in his attitude”. With Antonio Colak for competition the manager will hope to get the very best out of Morelos, as he did during his initial months in charge last season. If that comes to pass the club will be in a good place. We’ve already seen the five substitution rule utilised well and given the schedule from now until the World Cup, rotation will be required. There is of course a real risk attached given the Morelos debacle last month and reality of Kemar Roofe’s injury record.

Is the squad stronger?

Few would question the quality available to van Bronckhorst on a good day, but how often will everyone be fit?

This is a team that got the better of PSV just two weeks ago and reached a European final last season but came up short domestically in the same campaign. Only time will determine if sufficient attacking depth has been secured to set the pace in the Premiership. 

Colak, Tillman and Lawrence all strengthen the starting 11 immediately and represent impressive business. Colak and Lawrence arrived for a small combined outlay and appear excellent value for money, while Tillman's quality is clear to see. Davies, Ridvan and Matondo likely need more time to provide sound judgement. While Souttar struggled on his debut against Livingston he is a proven defender at this level.

But will those seven additions be enough over the course of a campaign? Have future fees for Tillman and Sands come into the reckoning? Is the lack of a 'ready now' right-winger a failure? Should, or could, the club have brought in extra quality for the Champions League campaign?

As with anything in football, results will determine the success of this transfer window. The next week, featuring an Old Firm, Champions League tie and trip to Aberdeen, provides an early stress test.