Standard’s British midfielder #17 Steven Alzate (FRONT) fights for the ball with Genk’s Belgian midfielder #08 Bryan Heynen during the Belgian “Pro…Photo by JOHAN EYCKENS/BELGA/AFP via Getty Images
Rangers transfer ‘possibility’ should become reality with three free international number six solutions
Mon 2 September 2024 19:30
Gavin Kelly
One of Rangers biggest problems against Celtic at Parkhead was the lack of midfield control.
Connor Barron worked hard enough, but he isn’t the type of midfielder to dictate the tempo of a game, neither is Dujon Sterling who is still learning the position.
Philippe Clement admitted that Rangers entertained the idea of signing a new number six in the summer but that their attempts proved unsuccessful.
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Steven Alzate (17) of Standard pictured during the Jupiler Pro League season 2023 – 2024 match day 1 in the Europa play-offs between AA Gent and St…
Photo by Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images
Rangers can solve number six options with three free agents
What the manager also said though, is that the free agent market could still be an option to strengthen the squad with three players in particular who could bring much needed experience and quality to the engine room.
Kevin Strootman
In his early 20s, 46-times capped Netherlands international Strootman is younger than when Steven Davis returned to Rangers at 34-year old having spent most of his career in Europe’s top five leagues.
At 6ft 1inch tall, Strootman has the technical physical attributes needed to be the missing piece in Rangers midfield.
He wouldn’t need to play every game but his experience and leadership could be invaluable.
Steven Alzate
The obvious one.
Capped seven times by Colombia, Rangers were linked with the 25-year old when he was on loan from Brighton at Standard Liege.
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Praised by teammates and former coaches for him work rate and ability on the ball, Alzate would be the perfect fit as a Davis-like clone in the middle of the park.
Davy Klaassen
With a good injury record, the former Ajax, Inter Milan, Werder Bremen and Everton midfielder is a surprising name on the free agent list.
Capable of contributing goals and assists, the 31-year old was rumoured to have been a target of Nils Koppen in the summer.
The performance at Parkhead suggests that the phone might be picked up to the 41-times capped Dutch international again.
Philippe Clement to consider going back into market for Rangers
When asked about the transfer window business before the Old Firm derby, Philippe Clement revealed that the main pivot position had been considered:
“We talked about that in the club and that was the initial plan.”
And when asked if Rangers might go back into the market for one, he said:
“Yes, there is still a possibility.
“So, we need to now find solutions within the squad to do that, in a different way to before.
“Connor Barron is filling that role. Dujon Sterling can fill that role. Nico Raskin can fill that role. But it’s in a different way to Lunny.
“We don’t need to play in the same way we did last season. It’s about what suits the qualities of the squad best. And we’re going to find solutions for that.”
It shouldn’t just be a possibility, it is a necessity and, as this list shows, the quality is there.
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