In the wake of yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Motherwell, there has been some frustration from the Rangers camp toward the firepower within the team in attacking areas.
There is no doubting the qualities of the likes of Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi, but there are still valid question marks on the consistency of the pair and their goalscoring threat.
In a game like the draw at Fir Park, when Rangers had a whopping 72.9% possession with 16 shots on goal and five on target, there were many instances of shooting opportunities from outside the box or a need for direct incision but it did not happen in what was a somewhat lacklustre performance from the Gers.
In a market that is within the Ibrox club’s reach, there is a player in the Austrian Bundesliga that Rangers should have their radar fixed on.
Dor Hugi, of SKN St. Polten, is currently enjoying a very productive season, with seven goals and three assists from 12 league appearances so far this season.
The Israeli is currently valued at just £1.1 million and is contracted until July 2022 with the Austrian club, following his move from Maccabi Petah Tikva in July 2020.
The left winger, who can also operate on the right flank is the type of player that Steven Gerrard and Ross Wilson should be keeping tabs on, before contract and cost factors spiral out of Rangers reach.
Brexit impact
One stumbling block for this type of move is the Brexit situation and impending rules on signings to be issued from the Home Office.
The UK government department appear keen to set out a rules based system for all EU/rest of world players coming to ply their trade in the UK, but the obvious flaw in that plan is that a player bound for Scotland’s Premiership is really not likely to have the pedigree or quality that a English Premier League import would have.
The levels required and prevalent either side of the border must be considered but the Home Office are trying to avoid an appeals system, much prefering a set out system in which international caps are very important.
At present, Dor Hugi is uncapped by the Israel at senior international level but with his current form it should only be a matter of time.