Two More Key Signings That Could Help Rangers Make A Strong Start To The Season
Although being knocked out of the Europa League by Progres Niederkorn was a low point, Rangers’ position is generally healthy as they look to make a good start to the season.
New signings were still gelling at the point when they lost to the side from Luxembourg, while Graham Dorrans was not yet on board and Bruno Alves was unavailable. Add to this the fact that a Europa League campaign would in fact not have helped their cause in the league and most things are rosy just now.
The team played out a very good 1-1 draw with French giants Marseille at the weekend and it seems Pedro Caixinha’s plan is belatedly coming together. With this in mind, who else could Rangers sign, to finally see off the completion for second place and begin taking aim at Celtic?
Jamie Walker (Hearts)
Rangers will not be out of the top 2 for long and SPFL players know this. Some are beginning to jump ships once again, including Jonny Hayes (Celtic) and Ryan Jack (Rangers). So others will undoubtedly follow.
The left winger represented Scotland at every level from under-15 to under-21 and still has tons of potential. His 34 league games last season for a stuttering Hearts side resulted in him grabbing 12 goals and claiming 3 assists, something which dwarves Barrie McKay’s figures.
Walker would definitely be a step up and at 24 years of age, more improvement can be expected of him. He’s under contract for just one more year at Tynecastle and may well be available for a reduced fee. Barrie McKay is gone now and when I saw Walker score against Newcastle, it reaffirmed to me as to what he can do at this level.
Steven Naismith (Norwich City)
Naismith’s overall ability is the first and the most obvious thing to point to, having played over 100 games in the Premier League in England for Everton and Norwich City. He belongs at that level for sure.
He also has a big history at this, having signed from Kilmarnock in 2007. He went on to make 136 appearances for Rangers, scoring 33 goals in the process and was a part of a successful forward partnership with Kenny Miller back then and that could be rekindled, now that the former Hibs and Celtic man is also back at the club and performing well.
Naismith was renowned for his charity work in Glasgow. Because of injuries keeping him out of the side during his first spell with the club, Naismith decided that he would help out and sponsor hundreds of meals for the city’s homeless people rather than sit around. A return full time to Glasgow would sit very well with him and his family, meaning no settling-in period, which, for a new signing, is a huge bonus.