OPINION
Rangers made a whole host of new signings over the summer window as they conducted an overhaul of the options available to incoming manager Steven Gerrard, with the first team line up almost unrecognisable to last season’s.
It was a tactic which worked wonders, the Ibrox outfit pushing on to qualify for the Europa League group stages and looks as close to rivals – and title challengers – Celtic as they have in a long time.
Looking towards the future, director of football Mark Allen has confirmed that the club have plans to recruit new talents in 2019 but hinted that there may only be limited new arrivals in January if the right players are available.
He told Rangers Youth Development Co. on their official Twitter account: “It’s important that recruitment never stops whether it’s January or the summer. We are constantly looking to improve with every window of opportunity.
“I think it’s fair to say that most of our activity will take place in the summer window. But if an opportunity arises where we can strengthen in January we will do so.”
It’s important that recruitment never stops whether it’s January or the summer. We are constantly looking to improve with every window of opportunity.
— Rangers Youth DC (@rfc_rydc) November 21, 2018
I think it’s fair to say that most of our activity will take place in the summer window. But if an opportunity arises where we can strengthen in January we will do so.
— Rangers Youth DC (@rfc_rydc) November 21, 2018
While the promise of new arrivals is exciting, the fact the club are focusing on the summer already is a worrying sign, and an approach that will leave Ibrox bitterly disappointed come the end of the season.
Quite frankly, this could be their best chance to topple Celtic at the top of the table, for the Hoops do not look like the same fearsome side that has dominated Scottish football for years.
Missing out on the opportunity to strengthen when their fierce rivals are at one of their weakest points makes no sense and if they give Brendan Rodgers the chance to sign new talents without matching them toe for toe, then Rangers are destined for another couple of years in their shadow.
Allen and Gerrard should be thinking of taking the title race to Celtic – but the current squad is not strong enough to do so, and failure to recruit is like handing them the title.
Those at Ibrox know they could be on the cusp of something special but it seems they are unwilling to push on for glory.