IAN Durrant feels that this coming transfer window could be as important as any in Rangers history. The 50-year-old, now assistant manager to Stephen Aitken at Dumbarton, has only an outside view on events unfolding at Ibrox these days compared to his previous seat in the inner sanctum.
But, speaking at Elite Collaboration’s celebrity golf day in aid of their Mental Health project Back Onside, the club legend and former coach said yesterday that this summer recruitment period was crucial to the club’s prospects.
Not only is there an imperative to secure a number of new players in the short space of time before the club’s first Europa League qualifying tie on June 29, but the process may require shifting a number of players sitting on long-term contracts.
Read more: Pedro Caxinha wants to see standards improve as he speaks of new era at Rangers
“I don’t know Pedro at all but looking at it from the outside he needs time,” said Durrant. “And if they’re going to put a challenge in, he needs backing to freshen the team up. That’s the key to it, and reading between the lines over the past week he’s identified players and now it’s a matter of going and getting them. But the space of time between now and the Europa League doesn’t give you much time in terms of bedding players in so it’s an important time for him.
“He’s intimated there could be a clear-out but whether or not they can do it is different,” he added. “They’ve some on good money and long contracts so it’s not as easy as saying ‘you can go’. Players do have a level of power and they can dictate to the club about whether they move or stay. But the recruitment will be key and this is possibly going to be one of the biggest transfer windows in Rangers’ history.”
The first contours of how Rangers will look next season are already starting to take shape. Emerson Hyndman has returned to Bournemouth, while Michael O’Halloran, Harry Forrester and Rob Kiernan - forced into 6am sessions at Auchenhowie this week - clearly have work to do if they are to convince Caixinha that they have a future.
Read more: Pedro Caxinha wants to see standards improve as he speaks of new era at Rangers
There will be a reluctance in some quarters of the club’s supporter base about the release of veteran Clint Hill, less so that Philippe Senderos is also being shown the door. Bruno Alves, a 35-year-old Portuguese international and Euro 2016 winner, is one rumoured replacement, as are Rashid Sumaila, Jose Abella and Carlos Izquierdoz, three defenders with whom Pedro Caixinha worked at either Al-Gharafa or Santos Laguna. While Aberdeen stars Ryan Jack and Kenny McLean have also been mentioned, recruiting foreign-based stars to whom Caixinha has a previous connection seems like a more likely direction of travel.
“The manager has to have trust in his players and if he has that I’m sure he’ll go and get them,” said Durrant. “When you’re in the dugout you’ve got to trust them when they cross the white line. It’s a hard badge to wear but it’s enjoyable when you’re doing well. If there were players in Scotland I’m sure he’d try and identify them too. It’s the manager’s decision and that’s what he’ll be judged on and Rangers fans will hope he gets it right.”
Read more: Pedro Caxinha wants to see standards improve as he speaks of new era at Rangers
There is a clamour in some parts for owner Dave King to show face more publicly but Durrant feels he is an easy target. Days after the 30th anniversary of Rangers doing nine-in-a-row, the midfielder feels it is too early for anyone to start worrying about Celtic reaching double figures.
“Mr King’s got a lot of business things over in South Africa and when the team’s not doing well, it’s easy to pick on somebody,” said Durrant. “But he’s backed the club up and there’s a lot of things going on within the club to try and get a level of investment in so I’m sure he’ll be working on things like that.
“That [ten-in-a-row] is a few years away. Having been there, once you get to eight and nine you start talking about it. We’re all talking about Rangers but everybody else will be trying to put a wee dent into Celtic too.”
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