Vital Rangers has addressed the issue of having to improve the quota of homegrown players in our squad before and over the last 12-18 months we have, in fairness, been linked with a few who would meet the criteria with some ticking more boxes than others.
The task facing Ross Wilson is replacing like-for-like in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s squad and identifying what Scottish players he can bring in who would a) fit our player trading model and b) still improve who the manager has available at his disposal.
So, if we take a few players who are non-contributing or who’s contracts are expiring; Brandon Barker, Jack Simpson, Jake Hastie, Jermain Defoe, Steven Davis, we can then identify who might be able to replace them without breaking the bank.
Brandon Barker/Jake Hastie
In terms of wingers, there is only really one realistic option and that’s Siriki Dembele, primarily because he is available on a pre-contract agreement. With five goals and two assists in the Championship this season for a struggling team, he has shown that he can add decent numbers – would he get a game ahead of Ryan Kent or Scott Wright? Maybe not, but he’d certainly be a better option than Barker and Hastie
Jack Simpson
Another no brainer and one that doesn’t really take any explaining, John Souttar. If reports are to be believed, we have tabled an offer and the decision is now up to him, the Championship in England or Rangers and the chance to win trophies and play in Europe.
Jermain Defoe
A little harder to replace the sort of role that Defoe has played since joining the club, his game time this season has been almost non-existent and you wonder how much his new contract was down to his mate squaring him away. Kevin Nisbet would probably cost too much money but Jacob Brown at Stoke City has just one year left on his current contract and would be more affordable, the 23-year old has recently been capped by Scotland and can play through the middle or on the right-hand side. Then there is Old McBurnie who has 18-months left at Sheffield United and always seems to be linked with a move to his boyhood club.
Steven Davis
Almost impossible to replace given how good he has been since returning but he has been off the pace this season, moving to two in midfield won’t exactly help his legs either and he will probably be reduced to cameo appearances, James Sands could replace him but he isn’t Scottish so someone dynamic, who could score goals and partner Glen Kamara would be more appropriate.
Lewis Ferguson might not be everyone’s cup of tea and has sparked a few debates over the years as to whether or not he can follow his old man and his uncle in playing for Rangers, under Steven Gerrard I didn’t think he would fit, but in our new system – especially domestically – I think he’d be the perfect long-term replacement for Scott Arfield, the only question would be the price tag.
There are other homegrown players kicking about who are approaching the end of their current deals but Graeme Shinnie, Scott Allan, James McArthur and Callum Patterson wouldn’t add anything to the squad, we’d be better promoting youngsters.
It’s not an easy problem to solve but our sporting director has answered every question asked of him so far, let’s hope he can provide a solution to this one too.