Rangers have had a pretty consistent first XI this season, with variations in personnel mainly due to a tactical shift or because of the opposition being faced – horses for courses and all that.
However, there is one position that has created the most debate and been the most troublesome to fill, the right-sided number 10/winger/attacking midfielder role, and a BBC Sport interview could point to a potential target to solve the problem.
Scott Arfield, Joe Aribo, Sheyi Ojo, Brandon Barker, Greg Stewart, Jordan Jones and Ianis Hagi have all taken their turns with varying degrees of success.
The first two are central-midfielders and were only deployed in the role when extra defensive duties were required, however, with Hagi doing his best work in the middle of the attack behind a striker, there is an obvious weakness.
It is clear that Stewart is seen purely as a back-up option and not a realistic prospect to hold down a regular place despite never letting the side down when he has played.
For Ojo, Jones and Barker it is an entirely different story, the former is returning to his parent club having failed to score or assist since 2019, his last goal was his spectacular effort against Feyenoord way back in September.
In January, Jones and Barker seemed to be out the door but nothing concrete materialised but – except in the case of Borna Barisic – once Steven Gerrard makes up his mind, it rarely changes.
A Scotland international who recently admitted that he may be willing to return to his home country from the MLS could be exactly the type of player that Rangers have been looking for.
Johnny Russell, will be available to negotiate a free transfer next month and as a striker turned inside-forward, he fits the profile to fill the troublesome role.
He did well for Derby in the Championship – a goal or assist every three games – before moving to the States and has the work rate to match Daniel Candeias with the added benefit of being a more composed finisher in front of goal.
Gerrard started with a long list of players which he now claims is getting shorter by the day, with money tight in the current climate, Russell would represent an upgrade on the current incumbents without breaking the bank.