10 Scottish Premiership players Rangers should have signed from Kieron Bowie to Dundee Utd revelation
Sporting director Kevin Thelwell oversaw a £30million spend this summer but overlooked bargains are coming back to haunt Gers
Rangers have scoured the UK and Europe to spend more than £30 million on a new-look squad.
But so far under Russell Martin all it has got them is to TENTH place in the Premiership table.
Of course, we're only five games in but incredibly Martin’s side are still looking for their first league victory.
Irate fans don’t just believe the title is already lost.
They’re now starting to question whether the 13 new arrivals are going to cut it at Ibrox.
If they can’t, major pressure will pile on sporting director Kevin Thelwell and recruitment guru Dan Purdy who have led the expensive summer splurge.
What makes matters worse is that, around the top flight, clubs above Rangers in the table appear to have got more value for money.
For a fraction of the cost, SPFL players who were already in the league or have just arrived, are proving their worth.
On Saturday, Gers’ 2-0 defeat to Hearts at Ibrox didn’t just highlight the home side’s weaknesses.
It also proved that you don’t have to spend fortunes to find quality players.
Record Sport takes a look at 10 outfield players Rangers COULD have signed in the transfer window - who some would argue look better than what’s currently on show at Ibrox:
Luca Stephenson (Dundee United)
Rangers were looking for right-back cover and plumped for Max Aarons from Bournemouth to challenge skipper James Tavernier. But a similar move for the Liverpool youngster might have been a better option. He was excellent at Tannadice last season and has hit the ground running again this term - bagging a brace at Hibs on Saturday.
Alex Gogic (St Mirren)
The no-nonsense Cypriot might not be everyone’s cup of tea but St Mirren fans love him and Barry Ferguson has already said he’d have signed him for Gers had he got the manager’s job. Gogic wouldn’t have cost much and might have added some much-needed grit to Martin’s side.
Harry Milne (Hearts)
Rangers needed a left-back in the summer and you could argue they’re still not adequately equipped in that department, with only Brentford kid Jayden Meghoma arriving. Milne was the best left-back in the Scottish Championship with Partick Thistle and available for a snip before Hearts snared him. He excelled playing out of position at Ibrox on Saturday, winning the Jambos a penalty.
Ivan Dolcek (Dundee United)
This guy has been a Premiership revelation for United since arriving on loan from Slovakian side Dunajska Strada. So much so Jim Goodwin is already trying to sign him permanently. He’s got four goals and an assist from the flank and it looks like the Terrors have unearthed a real gem.
Josh Mulligan (Hibernian)
The rumours are that Rangers had already agreed to sign the all-action midfielder from Dundee along with Lyall Cameron - but then pulled out of the deal once Martin was appointed as gaffer. They might live to regret that as he’s impressed so far in Hibs’ engine room domestically and in Europe.
Panutche Camara (Dundee United)
Looks like another incredible find from Goodwin’s recruitment team at Tannadice. At 28, his career looked like going nowhere at Crawley Town in England’s League Two. But the Guinea-Bissau international appears to be a perfect fit for the Premiership - and he’s been a stand-out for United so far.
Kieron Bowie (Hibernian)
This signing would have been costly for Rangers and - even then - Hibs wouldn’t have wanted to part with their star striker. But after spending £8 million on Youssef Chermiti, Gers could have afforded Bowie. He’s been sensational at Easter Road and is still only 22.
Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)
It’s simply inexplicable how Rangers let this guy slip through their fingers in the summer. A free transfer, 29 years old and would have come with a goals guarantee in the Premiership. The fact he’s a Rangers fan only makes it even harder to swallow for the Ibrox faithful. Came back to haunt them with a brilliant brace at the weekend.
Emmanuel Longelo (Motherwell)
Rangers struggled to deal with the 24-year-old wing-back on the opening day of the season at Fir Park when he scored Well’s equaliser and he’s getting better with every game. Has been at West Ham and Birmingham in his career so far and it looks like he’s got room for serious development in his game. Already has three goals and an assist in the league.
Claudio Braga (Hearts)
A classic Jamestown Analytics signing for the Jambos and he looks like a cracker. Plucked from Norwegian side Aalesunds in the summer, Braga has all the attributes needed to be a success in Scottish football. His attitude is terrific as he showed at Ibrox on Saturday and he’s got an eye for goal. Hearts could make a serious profit on him.