Rangers won't 'close eyes' to specific transfer market as Danny Rohl plots forward additions

The Ibrox side currently sit fourth in the Premiership and trail leaders Hearts by 12 points. Many onlookers have already written off their chances of mounting a title challenge in the second half of the season and while those inside the Rangers camp still believe the 2025/26 campaign can be successful, there is an understanding that new players need to be acquired in January.

Head coach Danny Rohl is working alongside newly-appointed consultant Stig Inge Bjornebye as well as chairman Andrew Cavenagh, his deputy Paraag Marathe, interim chief executive Fraser Thornton and the Rangers recruitment team in a bid to unearth players who can elevate the team from its current position.

Ranges’ recent focus has been on signing players either from the English leagues or youngsters from abroad with potential sell-on value. Their only recruit from Scotland in a busy summer window was Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron on a free transfer. The club has been criticised for not swooping for Hearts’ Scottish internationalist Lawrence Shankland, who was out of contract in June and is the league’s top goalscorer, and also Josh Mulligan, who joined Hibs on a free from Dundee.

So far, Rangers have been linked with Belgian left-back Tuur Rommens and French midfielder Pierre Ekwah. Rohl is also keen to bolster the forward areas of the pitch, with strikers Youssef Chermiti, Bojan Miovski and Danilo unable to regularly contribute from No 9. The German stressed that good options in the Premiership will not be overlooked.

“I think we should not close our eyes to the Scottish market,” said Rohl. “I think we have players that have the experience here in this league. They know what it means to play against other teams. They know what it means also to play for Rangers or against Rangers. And, yeah, I'm totally open. For me, it’s not about the market, it's really about in which position the players can help us.”

Rangers forward players need to contribute more

Rohl once again stressed the need for greater returns from his forward players. “I think in general, this is what's the message to the players,” continued Rohl. “Especially then to the centre forwards, that I’m looking for this number nine, who is always the starter.

“There's the challenge. And at the moment, there are three players are trying to be the number nine. In the following weeks, we will see who is the number nine. Of course, we know that we score generally as a group we don't score enough.

“I think it's not just the centre forwards, it's also when we look to a 10 or the winger position, that we need more goals in this part of the game and this is what we have to improve.”

Rangers return to action on Saturday when they host third-placed Motherwell in the league on the back of losing 2-1 to Hearts. Rohl has been impressed by the Steelmen but believes his team has it in them to cause problems of their own.

“I think they are doing well,” said Rohl. “They play a lot of 4-2-4 as a box in the middle. They have a lot of ball possession in the league, I think about over 60 per cent and they have direction. But I'm convinced that when we bring our intensity on the pitch, our structure, with the ball against the ball, that we can hurt them.

“They give us all those spaces where we can attack them. I'm really looking forward to this game because I think both teams will try to play the direction of their own. I think there's not one team who has just destroyed the game. They want to play football, they want to press, and this is, for me, a good basic to have an attractive game.”