da marjack bet： Pedro Caixinha has almost signed a whole team of players already this summer with eight arrivals brightening the mood of Rangers fans who were looking for big changes in the squad after a dismal season finishing third in the Scottish Premiership.
da cassino： Defenders, midfielders, strikers, wingers; they’ve all arrived at the club and it means that supporters are now looking ahead with optimism at the season ahead rather than dreading it.
That said, that work is far from done and some problem positions still remain at the club.
Rangers’ full-backs drew lots of criticism last season with neither James Tavernier nor club captain Lee Wallace really showing the form required to challenge for trophies in Scotland. Tavernier in particular was singled out for his lack of defensive positional sense, often times leaving the Light Blues defenders exposed at the back. Wallace didn’t look like the top-tier defender of old on a consistent basis and when he got injured, Caixinha had to rely on the untested Myles Beerman.
It’s clear that full-backs on either side need to bolster the ranks at the club and we have three in mind that we reckon could fit in well…
Graeme Shinnie
Rangers have already managed to snag Ryan Jack from Aberdeen and with other top players at Pittodrie like Jonny Hayes and Niall McGinn also leaving the club, it’s clear the Dons are in a year of transition. Does that open the door for the Light Blues to poach another player away from Derek McInnes?
One of the brightest talents left at Aberdeen is Graeme Shinnie, a full-back and midfielder who could really improve the first team set-up at Ibrox.
While it may be his box-to-box action in the Dons midfield that has caught the attention of admirers over the last 12 months, it’s easily forgotten that he’s often looked most assured on the Don’s left flank with some even reckoning he was the best full-back in the country at one point.
Lee Wallace doesn’t look terrible at left-back but definitely needs a jolt to keep him striving to improve and enhance his game. The Rangers captain is in real danger of falling into his comfort zone.
Shinnie would solve that problem and also provide cover in midfield.
Connor Randall
A Liverpool right-back who plays predominately for their U23s side, he hasn’t yet quite been able to make the breakthrough into Jurgen Klopp’s first team on a consistent basis.
The German manager gave the youngster his debut back in late 2015 when he had just arrived at the club but since then has been limited to a handful of appearances, making just one last season, a start in the FA Cup.
He needs a full season of first-team football to really see where his progress is and he isn’t going to get that at the Reds next term with Klopp under pressure to ensure a top four position and potentially challenge for the English Premier League title.
He would be an excellent option for Rangers to pursue on loan as competition for the sometimes faltering James Tavernier. Known for his strength, passing and ability to burst forward, he would be an exciting addition for supporters on a budget, with Rangers not excellent having grand resources to play with this summer.
Jose Abella
Jose Abella is a right-back who at 23 years old has never played outside of his native Mexico. A one time Mexican youth internationalist, he was a key member of Pedro Caixinha’s trophy winning squad and is clearly a fan of the Ibrox boss’ methods.
Speaking to ESPN last year, he said of Caixinha:
“The fundamental thing was the way he lives games, the passion in each action … it helped me a lot. The training was always based on intensity and exercises with the ball. I learned a lot and will be eternally grateful.”
Bringing in a player who is ready to buy into his mission at Ibrox would certainly fit the profile of players the Portuguese has already brought to the club and having already won trophies together, Caixinha obviously knows how to get the best out of him.
Is he the man to permanently replace James Tavernier?