The Summer Transfer Rumour Round-up Thread

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Celtic leading the race to sign Sunderland and Scotland striker Steven Fletcher

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/14526167.Celtic_leading_the_race_to_sign_Sunderland_and_Scotland_striker_Steven_Fletcher/

Now there's a waste of cash. Big Liverpool fan with a soft spot for us.

[JFK-1 1,675]

Mark Warburton has Rangers on the right track as he works through his summer shopping list

 

THE first four are in, but there has to be several more where they came from. Mark Warburton will start putting his Rangers squad through their paces in just over a fortnight as they look to stride forward on the road towards the Premiership title.

 

The Ibrox boss is keen to have as many new recruits on board as possible by the time the Gers squad return to Murray Park and here SportTimes looks at where Warburton will need to strengthen as he looks to complete another handful of deals in the coming weeks.

 

GOALKEEPER

 

Wes Foderingham was handed the number one jersey last summer and never looked like relinquishing it during a solid first campaign at Ibrox. The 25-year-old is rated highly by Warburton and is the kind of keeper that fits into the style the Light Blues attempt to play.

 

While he did pull off some impressive stops at key times this term, there were also a few anxious moments for the Ibrox crowd when the ball was at his feet or launched into the area.

 

It would be a surprise if Foderingham didn’t retain the gloves for the new campaign but he is likely to have a fresh challenge for the jersey if Cammy Bell can clinch a move away.

 

The former Scotland shot-stopper didn’t play a minute of first team action last season and a summer switch seems to offer him the best chance of getting back on the park.

 

That will leave Warburton with a spot on the bench to fill and it is one that may well go to a more experienced deputy than youngsters Liam Kelly or Robby McCrorie.

 

DEFENCE

 

The back four has been the source of much debate this term and it is an area that certainly needs strengthening before the new campaign kicks-off.

 

Lee Wallace rightly collected the Ibrox Player of the Year prize after his most impressive season to date but fans remain wary of the defensive capabilities of fellow full-back James Tavernier.

 

There is no doubt the 24-year-old, who scored 15 goals in 50 appearances for the Gers, is a real threat in the final third but he will be tested more at the other end of the park next time out and will need to raise his game to be as effective as he was during a superb debut campaign.

 

With no obvious cover for either Wallace or Tavernier in the squad, Warburton was fortunate that neither were absent for a lengthy period and were able to play the number of games they did in all four competitions.

 

Dom Ball could have filled in, but Rangers need a more natural and reliable option at both left-back and right-back next term, even if a deal can be done to bring the 20-year-old back from Spurs for a second stint.

 

There is also an expectation from supporters that at least one new centre-back will be recruited. The pairing of Danny Wilson and Rob Kiernan proved good enough to win the Championship but Warburton has few options and needs to make a signing here.

 

Rangers lost too many soft goals through their centre last season and they will have to be more solid and resolute in the top flight. A more commanding and physical defender would certainly be welcomed by the Ibrox crowd.

 

MIDFIELD

 

Warburton has made significant changes in here already this summer as he has addressed one of the key areas of his side early in the window.

 

The arrival of Joey Barton will give the Gers experience and strength in the middle of the park and the 33-year-old will be an integral part of the Light Blues line-up in the holding role.

 

It is a position that could also be filled by Matt Crooks and Jordan Rossiter, but both could be utilised further forward and compete with Andy Halliday and Jason Holt for the more attacking berths after Nicky Law was released and Gedion Zelalem returned to Arsenal.

 

With Harry Forrester returning from injury, Rangers look strong in midfield, and the arrival of Niko Kranjcar would give Warburton another quality option next season.

 

It will be tough for the likes of Liam Burt and Jordan Thompson to break through but they are capable of providing adequate back-up if Warburton looks to dip into the Murray Park ranks.

 

FORWARDS

 

Goals were not in short supply for Rangers as they eased to the Championship title but another forward, if not two, will surely be on Warburton’s shopping list this summer.

 

There is nothing to suggest that Kenny Miller and Martyn Waghorn won’t be able to maintain their fine form in the top flight next term and both will have huge roles to play as Rangers set their sights on the silverware. But the Gers need another option through the middle.

 

It won’t be a tall, physical forward that will be better in the air than he is with the ball at his feet. Warburton has already made his feelings clear on a different type of striker when quizzed about the need for a Plan B, but he does need competition to provide back-up to the pair that scored 49 goals between them this term.

 

In the wider areas, Barrie McKay will look to prove he can shine on the Premiership stage after a terrific campaign in the second tier, while more is expected of Michael O’Halloran now that he has had time to settle into life at Ibrox.

 

Josh Windass is somewhat of an unknown quantity for Gers fans but he arrives in Glasgow highly-rated and high in confidence after shining for Accrington Stanley as they just missed out on promotion this term.

 

With David Templeton and Nicky Clark released and Billy King back at Hearts, there is scope for Warburton to bring in another forward minded player or two.

 

If there are more arrivals at both ends of the park, expectation levels will rightly be high both at Murray Park and in the stands at Ibrox ahead of Rangers’ Premiership return.

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/14527174.Mark_Warburton_has_Rangers_on_the_right_track_as_he_works_through_his_summer_shopping_list/?ref=mr&lp=1

[ian1964 10,431]

Rangers transfer target Aaron Mooy will make a decision on his future next week. The 25-year-old Australia midfielder, who spent time with St Mirren, is also wanted by leading Belgian clubs. (Sun)

 

Rangers are also in the market for a goalkeeper, with Hamilton's Michael McGovern and Southend's Daniel Bentley on the Ibrox club's radar. (Daily Express)

[craig 5,199]

Would take Ball anytime in preference to Wilson.

 

Ball would be my starting CB before either Wilson OR Kiernan. His reading of the game and his distribution is better than both.

[der Berliner 3,276]

Part depends on how our defensive midfield shapes up. We might have a back 4 with Barton in front of them, or the same with Crooks or Ball partnering Barton in a 4-2-3-1 or the like. Likewise, either Ball or Crooks could be part of a "nominal" back 3, with both Wallace and Tavernier in more advanced attacking roles. All depends how dynamic the people are in their roles.

Edited June 1, 2016 by der Berliner

[craig 5,199]

Part depends on how our defensive midfield shapes up. We might have a back 4 with Barton in front of them, or the same with Crooks or Ball partnering Barton in a 4-2-3-1 or the like. Likewise, either Ball or Crooks could be part of a "nominal" back 3, with both Wallace and Tavernier in more advanced attacking roles. All depends how dynamic the people are in their roles.

 

If we went 4-2-3-1 then it would be more likely Barton + 1 from Crooks/Rossiter or Halliday - no need for Ball in there.

 

Only my opinion, but if Dom Ball comes back I would like to think it would be as a CB and not as a DM - with Crooks, Barton, Rossiter and Halliday all able to fill that DM role it makes little sense to also use Ball in there unless injuries/suspensions are very severe !

 

Warburton is unlikely to go with a back 3 - you need pace in a back 3 and neither Wilson nor Kiernan are quick enough - a back 3 would make reasonable sense though given how far forward both Wallace & Tavernier get - but Warburton likes the 4-3-3 with someone sitting in front of the 2 CB's to allow cover - this is likely to be Barton because his reading of the game is excellent.

[der Berliner 3,276]

... as I said before, we more or less played 2 at the back for long spells throughout the season, given the fullbacks spend more time alongside their fellow midifielders rather than our CHs. We did not lose that many goals from counter attacks et al either, but mostly to set-pieces, IIRC. In fact, quite a few bemoaned the fact that Tav can't defend that good either. Likewise, the "back 3" would more or less only be nominal, as the one in the middle might very well be a Ball / Crooks like defensive MF most of the time anyway, who drops back should we lose the ball.

[ian1964 10,431]

Rumour(unsubstanciated) on FF of us being linked with Kolo Toure,now that would be interesting!,if true?.

 

But I think it should be filed under,,,,pish!

Edited June 1, 2016 by ian1964

[pete 2,499]

Rumour(unsubstanciated) on FF of us being linked with Kolo Toure,now that would be interesting!,if true?.

 

But I think it should be filed under,,,,pish!

 

Many said that about Barton. I am staying neutral on all rumours. Unless it is that Lennon will replace Warburton.

[Bearman 9]

I find this thread to be quite exhilarating reading the names that could be joining us, Kolo Toure lining up with Joey Barton next season is mind blowing...