While Rangers stumble from one PR disaster to another (the latest being Verhoek's possible move to Fulham) we are ominously quiet when it comes to transfers, both in and out of the club. Although we don't need any wholesale changes we do require, in my opinion, a new goalkeeper and a target man capable of weighing in with a few goals. Unfortunately, good goalkeepers and good target men are not cheap so Neil Lennon has his work cut out trying to attract two worthwhile additions to the squad. The thought of the transfer window slamming shut and us having Zaluska as our number one and Murphy as our only target man does not fill me with confidence. Hopefully, fingers crossed, Lennon will pull something out of the bad before the end of August. Let's hope so.
There is still a month to go (well minus 2 days) We will probably be hoping some big clubs make moves in the market and so in turn releasing some talent for ceap or for loans. To be honest as much as i feel we need a keeper and striker as you say i'd be more concerned with ensuring we can keep the likes of Emilio and Kayal. I saw a report saying Arsenal are sniffing round Emilio again
I can't see Celtic spending much money ... As you Anportmorbhoy - I think they'll wait and there will probbaly be one or two deadline day loan deals.
To be honest with you, if Arsenal come in with some ridiculous bid of 7 or 8 million I would cash in. Just as long as that money is handed to Lennon to find a suitable replacement. He did well in the transfer window last summer with the money we got for McGeady and I would expect him to snap up a new LB, GK and target man with that money.
Whilst you are correct in saying crazy money for someone we paid £600k for is too good to turn down, if he were to perform for one more year and maybe even put in a few good games in Eurrope it woudl do his profile and (more importantly) value no harm. WHilst we can hope we have another one lined up its taken 10 years to find a decent left back - im not convinced we can replace him with equal quilty again. But reality says that we probably will be looking to sell one player per year and use that money to by 2 or 3. Id just prefer we waitied to next year. We have a very good core at the moment. now is the time to build on it if we can not split it up
I think what we have should be enough but there are few areas that need to be strengthened. Wagamama was brought in to play at CB. they are getting him comfortable before trying that, that is entirely understandable. Matthews I don't think was brought in with a view to play first team immediately Wilson looks the part so far, maybe a bit flakey with the ball over the top but has pace to recover. a keeper and striker are required but traffic out the door has been fairly slow.
PR disaster? Both Old Firm teams will no doubt pick up players from the EPL when their squads have to be submitted. I can't see Forster being near the 1st team at Newcastle so I'm sure he will move back to you.
A new GK is an absolute must, that **** Alan McGregor won them the league last season. We could also do with another central defender, we were guff against Juventus - tore apart easily with big Glenda in there. We've enough fire power up front, Hoops and Stokes are out and out goalscorers and we have Samaras for when we'd rather have someone run around in circles holding the ball up waiting for someone who can actually strike a ball to take it off him. I believe that Kris Commons would do well up front given his eye for goal, Larsson and Henry were wingers until relatively late in their careers...
When your manager keeps telling all and sundry who they are planning to sign then the deal falls through even after you've made your sixth bid for a player I would call that a PR disaster.
Medro, rangers keep tapping/letting everyone know who they are after and fail in their pursuits Celtic have confirmed interest in foster, obviously, and bellamy after agreement was reached with city Everything else was paper talk on Celtic targets, yet rangers own website talks of moves for players I know you want some news but its not the done thing to officially talk about other teams players = PR Disaster
Maltese Mick I hate to disagree with you, as you seem to be quite a sound man, usually posting sensible posts. However you over rate that b........... Mc Gregor's role in Rangers tainted success last season. He was decidedly uneasy against us on more than one occasion last season. Remember Commons strike from 25 yards with his weak foot, sailed straight into the middle of the net. He was completely at fault when he went walk about at ipox and Sammi tapped into empty net. My view Mick, is that Mc Gregor's reputation is good and so in most people's eyes he never makes a mistake. Take Forster, he doesn't have that reputation, yet he did very well last season but quite a few people think he is not good enough. Boruc was brilliant in his first two years, that reputation carried on with him. I am certain that Forster was better last season than Boruc the year before but few give Forster the credit. I am pretty sure Forster will be with us this season too.
I can see him playing as a second striker in a few European games with Brown & Ledley wide & Ki and Kayal in the middle with Hooper up top. Rasmussen is still knocking about, never really had much of a chance IMO. Obviously Lennon see's something that he doesn't quite like about him and his judgement has been pretty much spot on with all his signings so far.
**** ye I was sure McGregor was over-hyped until last season, the game against Malmo last week was another example of him alone saving their blushes.
I think McGregor's a good keeper - certainly better than any we have at this moment in time, unfortunately. I'd love to see Forster back....and who knows at the moment. It's the toughest job on the pitch. Strikers can miss chance after chance but if they come good in the end and the match is won, their misses tend to be forgotten. Keeper makes one mistake and it can prove fatal!
I get the impression Lennon is waiting now on the English clubs settling on their 25 man squads. There should be a few players find themselves available in the week or so running up to the deadline I reckon.
