Rangers legend Walter Smith has recently said we should take something of a calculated risk in the transfer market in a bid to cut the – which would appear to be the case – growing gap between the Gers and rivals Celtic.
However, David Weir doesn’t think that’s a risk Rangers should make or indeed need to with Mark Warburton’s assistant saying he’s happy with the business we have managed this month.
Loan signings Jon Toral and Emerson Hyndman were the main transfer targets this winter so – as much as further arrivals aren’t being ruled out – Weir said Rangers were happy with the transfers conducted this winter.
As Rangers prepare to return from the winter break with the Scottish Cup meeting with Motherwell Weir was quoted by Sky Sports as saying.
‘Jon and Emerson were the main targets. We tried to do that relatively quickly, which we have done. As it stands, we are relatively happy. They are both very talented footballers and we are lucky to have them here. We are fortunate their clubs have trusted us to take them and aid their development.’
Weir and Warburton know Toral – who had his loan spell with Granada cut short to arrive on loan from Arsenal – very well having worked with him at Brentford previously.
Toral’s qualities have been praised with him backed to have a successful future with the Gunners.
‘Jon is creative, he is a goalscorer, fundamentally he is a good footballer. He will adjust to the style we play. He has played in our style before. He has been successful in the English Championship, he has played abroad, he is an Arsenal player still and will be for the future.’
Having found it difficult – despite his highly rated nature at Bournemouth – Hyndman was also secured from the Premier League until the summer. Of the American international Weir continued.
‘Eddie Howe is very good trusting us with Emerson. He is very talented, went for a lot of money in the summer, and he has come because the style we play is similar to the style Bournemouth play. That’s a massive advantage.’
Responding to thoughts Rangers should spend more in the transfer market – I do believe if it’s available and the quality is there you do but we shouldn’t be spending for the sake of spending – Weir went on to say.
‘It’s a gradual process. Money plays its part. You look at Red Bull [Leipzig]; they have obviously spent a lot of money from the pitch to the training ground to the stadium and obviously to their players. They have done it very quickly but a massive amount of investment. We have not got that level of investment so we have to do it with smaller steps. We have got to look to improve as we go and I think we have done that. Over the last 18 months we have improved, we are going in the right direction.’
Adding.
‘But when you have 8,000 fans travelling to watch a friendly it puts you under more pressure, and it’s a good pressure. That makes it different because so many people care about it and want it to happen yesterday. It’s difficult because of the money that’s around elsewhere. The English market is inflated and then you have a Chinese market that is challenging that. Spending money doesn’t guarantee you anything.’
He finished by commenting on the clubs own youth players and how these talented youngster coming through can also have a big part to play in our long-term future and help to improve Rangers’ fortunes.
Weir cited the fact we have players that are aged only 15, 16 and 17 in U20 games given the ability they have – meaning they’re bypassing certain age groups – as a sign of their potential.
If players are good enough they’ll play for the Rangers first team regardless of their age.
‘You look at our Under-20 game last week, we had 17-year-olds playing, a 15-year-old playing, 16-year-olds playing. And that’s the only way we can do it. They have to challenge themselves, play against older players and more experienced players and learn quickly to become players who are capable of playing for Rangers. There are no shortcuts, there is no quick fix, it’s just a matter of continually being challenged and rising to that challenge and enjoying that challenge. If they are good enough they will play.’
