Summer Shopping List: Four Key Positions Rangers Must Strengthen

Another season, another disappointment. As the final whistle of the campaign approaches, Rangers fans are once again left empty-handed in the trophy department. The frustration is growing, and while there are loud calls from the support for a full-scale clear out, the reality is more measured. Rangers won’t — and can’t — replace the entire squad. But changes are coming. Some will be natural departures at the end of contracts, others will be deemed surplus to requirements.

What’s clear is that the new Director of Football has a mammoth job ahead. He must balance the manager’s demands with recruitment insights, stay within a tight budget, and still build a squad capable of winning titles while playing a defined, attacking brand of football.

We’ve identified four key positions where Rangers must strengthen this summer — and we’ll revisit others as news breaks. Let’s dive in.

Left Wing: A Problem with No Permanent Fix

Let’s be honest — we’ve been winging it all season on the left-hand side. Oscar Cortes was supposed to be the answer. Injuries said otherwise. His fitness issues, stretching back to last season, have once again left us exposed. In his absence, we’ve seen the likes of Nedim Bajrami and Hamza Igamane filling in. Neither option has looked comfortable.

It’s especially maddening watching Igamane — a young striker — pushed wide while Cyriel Dessers misses sitter after sitter through the middle. It’s not good for development and it’s not helping the team.

At this point, relying on Cortes next season is a gamble we can’t afford. Could a return for Abdallah Sima be on the cards? He’s proving himself at Brest, and he knows the club. Regardless of who it is, we need a fit, consistent, natural left winger — full stop.

Right Wing: Cerny’s Future and McCausland’s Mystery

On the other side, there’s been at least one positive. Vaclav Cerny has shown flashes of real quality and quickly became a fan favourite. But can the club afford to bring him back? That question looms large.

Ross McCausland, meanwhile, has had a stop-start season thanks to injury. There are still question marks over whether he can become a reliable first-team regular. If Rangers can’t retain Cerny and McCausland doesn’t kick on, we’re back at square one. The right wing needs clarity — either commit to strengthening or give McCausland the platform to prove himself.

Goalkeeper: Time to Move On from Butland?

Jack Butland’s start gave us hope — a strong presence, vocal in the box, decent shot-stopper. But the truth is, it’s gone off the rails. Mistake after mistake, and the Hibs game was just the latest in a growing list. It’s hard to watch a keeper lose focus like this. Punching the ball into his own net, spilling shots into danger — we’ve seen it too often.

It’s time to ask serious questions. Is Liam Kelly a long-term No.1? Is Mason Munn ready? Probably not. That means Rangers may need to dip back into the market for a new goalkeeper this summer.

The silver lining? Butland still ticks the “homegrown” box for English clubs and might attract interest despite his decline. A move south could be on the cards — and might free up wages for a new signing.

Striker: Dessers Delivers Stats, But Not Satisfaction

On paper, Cyriel Dessers has the numbers — goals, appearances, contribution. But on the pitch? It’s another story. Rangers fans are not fooled by stats. The “eye test” matters. And Dessers fails it too often.

To his credit, he gets into scoring positions more than anyone else at the club. But he misses more than anyone else too. Let’s be real: if he converted at a top-tier level, he wouldn’t be at Ibrox. He’d be playing in the Premier League or Serie A.

Now 30, he’s not going to get sharper. It’s time to sell — while he still holds some value.

Our pick for the No.9 shirt? Hamza Igamane. He’s young, he’s hungry, and he is the future. Let him develop in his natural position. Either he bangs in goals for us, or we cash in down the line.

Yes, we’ve got Danilo too — and when fit, he’s a class act. But like Cortes, his injury record makes him a risk we can’t rely on. Rangers need another striker this summer, plain and simple.

Final Word

We could talk about midfield, centre-back depth, or a need for leadership on the pitch — and we probably will in the weeks ahead. But if Rangers want to mount a serious title challenge next season, these four positions can’t be ignored.

It’s time for smart recruitment. Quality over quantity. And a vision that takes us back to the top.

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