Rangers were never going to have a total overhaul of the squad in January, but they did add quality in an area of the park that needed some serious TLC.
In Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin we have two players who could be at Rangers for a good few years, both tied up on long-term contracts and, if initial impressions are accurate, set to be mainstays in Michael Beale’s starting XI.
Not only have they added more competition and depth, but they have also been the first new arrivals to start the next cycle of this Rangers squad.
Speaking to Football Insider, Alan Hutton reckons that the profile of Cantwell and Raskin is one that we will see more of in the summer:
“From what it looks like so far it is bringing the average age of the group down.
“He is looking for a specific type of player, a certain age, a hunger to go and improve and become better under Beale’s leadership. I think that is the aim for him.
“Raskin fits the mould that Rangers and Beale are looking for. I think that is the way forward for them.”
The wage bill and average age of the squad should naturally come down in the summer with players like Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield and Steven Davis out of contract. Even if you consider home grown status, there should still be no reason to extend McGregor or Arfield with Robby McCrorie and Alex Lowry available to take their place in the squad.
Fans had questioned, after last summer’s business, where our next “big” sale could come from, after January’s transfer activity and the expectations for the next window, that questioned will properly be answered.