The summer transfer business was written off earlier this season as being unsuccessful at a time when almost all of the acquisitions apart from Malik Tillman were injured.
Now, it’s safe to say that Ben Davies is every bit Connor Goldson’s equal and has settled into a partnership that could serve us well for years, Tom Lawrence was, arguably, our best player until he got injured, Antonio Colak carried us for much of the first half of the season and Tillman is posting the sort of numbers that we have been crying out for from our midfield.
John Souttar was worth the gamble seeing as he had played the full season for Hearts and looked back to his best, at 25, he will be a good player for the club even if he isn’t the first choice, however, Rabbi Matondo just hasn’t been able to get going and, as a result, looks short of confidence. Getting fit needs to be his priority.
One player who has benefitted from the summer transfer business is Borna Barisic, when Ridvan Yilmaz was signed for a lot of money, it looked as though the Croatian international was either on his way out or was going to spend more time watching from the sidelines but when the Turk tore his hamstring, Michael Beale was left with just one option at left-back.
— Ibrox Chat (@IbroxChat) February 1, 2023
Barisic though has looked back to his best under Beale and, with seven assists in 21 league games, is adding creativity from the left-hand side once again. He’s also looked more aggressive with and without the ball to the extent that the Hearts fans got more than they bargained for at Tynecastle last night.
If you are going to dish it out, be prepared to be able to take it when someone fights back. Footballers get plenty of stick and, for all that I’m not condoning what Barisic did, can you blame him?
Ridvan’s return will be an exciting one given the impression he was starting to make, however, the summer signing won’t be the automatic starter that he might have been a couple of months ago with Barisic enjoying, arguably, his finest form in a Rangers shirt.
Surprisingly , he has been on great form since the World Cup. At a time when people were expecting him to be tired its been just the opposite , he seems to have renewed confidence about him and is buzzing .The energy he shows getting up and down the left wing is incredible. Long may it continue.