When Connor Goldson signed a new Rangers contract it made Ross Wilson’s job this summer an awful lot easier in that we knew centre-half was covered and well catered for, however, this didn’t stop us from being linked with a few names.
One player was Cedric Kipre, the former Motherwell man now at West Brom and surplus to requirements, however, with John Souttar placing Leon Balogun, I’m not sure that we need another potential partner for the vice-captain with Filip Helander, Calvin Bassey and Leon King also in the squad, and that’s without mentioning Jack Simpson and Nikola Katic, with John Lundstram and James Sands also capable of filling in.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Peter O’Rourke reckons that it would still be a good deal if we were to make a move for the 25-year old:
“He would be a player who could add depth to Rangers’ squad and Kipre has had previous experience in Scotland thanks to his time at Motherwell.
“That would make it easier for him to settle into life back in Scotland if Rangers do move for him and I think he could be a good piece of business by Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
“I think centre-back is an area of the team that they are looking to strengthen with Leon Balogun leaving on a free transfer.”
The former Sky Sports reporter is right in that Kipre would probably be a decent signing, however, I’m not sure bringing in a player who Ryan Jack has openly accused of setting out to injure him would be great for dressing room harmony and that’s before you consider the options we already have.
There’s a reason that we didn’t extend Balogun’s deal despite knowing what he can offer and how valuable a member of the squad he is, there simply isn’t the room on the wage bill for more defenders unless, of course, there are departures being lined up, even then the Ivorian would command a fee given that he has two years left on his current contract.
Kipre is a decent player, but is he better than what we have? For me, he wouldn’t even get a game ahead of the midfielders that we play out of position and we are better off without him for more than one reason.
“Is he better than what we have?” Of course he is. He’s playing in the English championship which is at least one level above SPL. He would be an excellent signing, improve the defence and improve the distribution from it. He looks like a leader on the pitch. A win win especially for the fee involved (not much)