Before the transfer window opened most Rangers fans had a pretty clear idea of what we needed during the summer, key positions have been strengthened but, after a disappointing first-leg result against Union Saint-Gilloise and two hard fought domestic victories, there is one obvious area that we are still short in.
We have a lot of depth – and numbers – in midfield but what we don’t have is a natural, out-and-out, box-to-box, number eight. A player equally adept in and out of possession and a player who will link play from defence to midfield.
Malik Tillman has looked increasingly impressive but he needs to be as close to the opposition box as possible to get the best out of his creativity and it’s a similar story with Tom Lawrence, I can’t see Giovanni van Bronckhorst playing him in a deeper role – in his three appearances, he’s played three different positions behind the striker.
Players of a guaranteed quality are few and far between but Vital Rangers identified Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley as a potential loan option some time ago, the England international now said to be a target for Celtic – and a host of other teams – according to GiveMeSport.
Barkley is similar to Scott Arfield in that he loves getting beyond the ball and the strikers but there is one big difference. If Arfield causes problems with his movement, Barkley is capable of breaking lines and crating space on his own with his ability on the ball, something we’ve not had for a long time.
We have some outstanding passers at the club but, other than Charlie McCann, none of our midfielders are capable of dribbling past an opponent, especially since Joe Aribo left the club.
I’d be surprised if Barkley doesn’t stay in the Premier League, however, Ross Wilson wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t at least pick up the phone. After all, if we can sign Jermain Defoe and Aaron Ramsey, we can sign Ross Barkley.