OPINION
Rangers are in no way flushed with cash and their financial limits mean that Mark Allen has his work cut out in trying to provide Steven Gerrard with enough quality to catch Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
The Ibrox outfit might have been busy last summer with an overhaul of the squad but it still left the Light Blues some way behind their rivals, finishing second in the league and failing to make a domestic cup final – the Hoops completing another whitewash of silverware in Scotland.
With another summer transfer window ahead of the Glasgow rivals, Ibrox’s Director of Football Allen has revealed he is targeting quality over quantity, which will include a replacement for loanee Joe Worrall.
He told Rangers TV: “There’s no secret to the fact Joe Worrall will go back and return to Nottingham Forest, so obviously, there’s a focus on making sure we are robust back there and I think generally we’re looking at where we think we can strengthen.”
With that admission in mind, it should come as little surprise to see the Daily Mail link Rangers with a move for Charlton powerhouse Patrick Bauer, the German sealing his place as the Addicks’ play-off hero in their successful campaign for promotion from League One.
Reportedly in hot demand, with English Championship sides hunting the 6’3″ (source: Transfermarkt) centre back, Bauer will be a bargain swoop for whoever seals his capture, his contract coming to an end this summer and thus leaving him a free agent.
A player with plenty of experience in England, he would easily fill the boots of the shaky Worrall, who did little to convince the Ibrox faithful of his abilities during his time north of the border.
A composed and commanding centre back, the interest he has generated should be enough to demonstrate his abilities – and if not, you need only look at his record in League One, Charlton losing just seven of the 35 games he lined up in.
Allen is seeking a centre back – he has revealed as much – and Bauer could be the answer to his prayers.