The transfer window opens in five weeks, with the expectation that Rangers’ financial situation leaves the club vulnerable to offers for any first-team players.
For English teams, particularly those in the Barclays Premier League, the opportunity to conduct business at reasonable fees might be too attractive to ignore.
So which players are the most likely targets, who might be interested in them, and what fees are they likely to generate?
As an agent, Kevin Drinkell knows both the Scottish and English markets well, and he evaluates the Ibrox playing squad, although he is cautious about predicting a rash of sales.
“It’s all right sticking them on the shelf and saying, ‘take your pick’, but Rangers have got to hold some kind of semblance together to win the league,” he says.
“It’s a double-edged sword, keeping the bank happy if that costs you the league and support. And neither of the Old Firm’s squads are digging up trees and sending scouts hurrying up the M74. I don’t think Rangers will make a premium on any of their players.”
Allan McGregor
Goalkeeper. Age 27. Potential fee: £3m-£4m. Possible suitors: Tottenham, West Ham, Sunderland.
Consolidated his reputation with several outstanding saves against Stuttgart and has repaired a reputation that was tarnished by his off-field antics on Scotland duty and subsequent ban, although the next national coach will be free to call him up again. “The Premiership is awash with good goalies,” says Drinkell. “I mean, Ben Foster’s not done great lately, but Man United have an England goalkeeper on the bench. But if Tottenham or Arsenal were to move for Robert Green, West Ham might be looking for a replacement.”
Madjid Bougherra
Defender. Age 27.
Potential fee: £2.5m-£3m. Possible suitors: Bolton, Sunderland, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Bordeaux.
Despite being dropped by Walter Smith after returning late from international duty, the Algerian has been Rangers’ best player this season. Interested clubs might be put off by his departure for the Africa Cup of Nations in January, but may move for him just before the transfer window closes. “I don’t think that tournament is a massive obstacle,’ says Drinkell. “But we have to take into account his reputation in England. When Rangers bought him, how many clubs were looking to take him on? And I don’t know what credence they’d give to Madjid looking a really good player in Scotland.”
Steven Davis
Midfielder. Age 24.
Potential fee: £2m-£3m. Possible suitors: Birmingham, Sunderland, Bolton.
The Northern Ireland international is Rangers’ most creative player and has Premier League experience from his time at Aston Villa, where he was a promising young player, and Fulham. “He was in and out a little bit at Fulham,” says Drinkell. “There weren’t a lot of clubs banging on the door to take him when he left there, although Rangers knew they had a decent player when he was on loan at Ibrox and so brought him back up. He didn’t really prove himself in the Premier League.”
Pedro Mendes
Midfielder. Age 30.
Potential fee: £2m-£3m. Possible suitors: Portsmouth, Bolton.
Currently out injured, but a player whose pedigree is well established in England. “He carries more kudos down south than any of the Rangers players,” says Drinkell. “A lot of people were surprised when he left the Premier League to move to Scotland. If he can get himself fit, he would attract attention.”
Kris Boyd
Striker. Age 26.
Potential fee: £500,000. Possible suitors:
Birmingham, Newcastle.
A rich source of goals and a striker whose all-round game has begun to improve. Out of contract in the summer, though, and only clubs desperate for a reliable finisher would move for him in January.
Refused a move to Birmingham previously, though, and may prefer to stay at Ibrox. “We’ve been here before with him,” says Drinkell.
“Would he even contemplate going? Now that big Eck’s Birmingham are in the Premier League, that might be more of an attraction for him.”
Danny Wilson
Defender. Age 17.
John Fleck
Attacker. Age 18.
Potential fee: £1m. Possible suitors: Tottenham, Aston Villa.
The two youngsters have broken into the first-team and clearly possess great potential, and major clubs are increasingly recruiting young players. “It’s only the top teams doing that, the top five or six in the Premier League,” says Drinkell. “You’re not going to find a Bolton or somebody doing that. And there’s no point Rangers taking £500,000 now and £500,000 when they’ve played a set number of games, that’s no used to them now.”
