A January transfer window consisting of Fabio Silva, Mohamed Diomande and Oscar Cortes’ arrivals would’ve been appealing to Rangers and our support for a number of reasons, if it had been offered at the start of January.

However, the truth is, that not signing an out-and-out No.9 may come back to bite us just as it did a few seasons ago. As Giovanni Van Bronckhorst discovered when we lost our only fit forward, Alfredo Morelos, to injury in 2022, Philippe Clement now faces the same risk with Cyriel Dessers. He’s very much the last man standing up top.

Joe Aribo had to fill the slot up top back then and many still hold the board's feet to the fire, feeling that we missed out on a European trophy and league title because of a lack of firepower up top.

A lack of action in the January window of 2022 cost us beyond the few months that followed. Rangers missed out on Champions League money while our rivals secured the pot. From a position of strength, we were left to play catch up.

The fear amongst the support at present? It’s that a similar scenario is playing out in front of our eyes. There's an overwhelming sense that we needed to push the boat out that little bit more to maximise the current opportunity of this season.

The support remains frustrated at Michael Beale’s wasted money in the summer but the ship has been steadied with an excellent appointment in Clement. If Rangers come up short once more due to a lack of goals? The wrath of the support will be palpable.

Rangers are playing a dangerous game.

Rangers' squad depth after the 2024 January transfer window. Red represents injured players and yellow new arrivals. 

There is a real sense of possibility in the current title race. Celtic are wobbling and their support remains one result away from truly vocalising concerns. Rangers can’t afford to let that slip, especially with Champions League money on the line. They can claim and hold onto the high ground in these coming months if a ruthless streak emerges.

We’ve also lost Abdallah Sima and his 20-plus goal involvements including 15 strikes of his own. Speaking the day after the window has slammed shut, or gradually closed over 31 days depending on your dramatisation levels, the striking options available to Clement are light at best.

The truth is, the positivity within the support was and is there to be harnessed. In all honesty, the arrival of another striker would’ve galvanised everyone to really launch a title charge.

Instead, the majority are now vocally critical and downbeat on social platforms. If we don’t have the money and don’t have the possibility of any players coming then tell the support quicker. Expectations should’ve been managed to stop anticipation building.

If Rangers don’t land the title there will be more than the board's feet that are getting held to the fire. Success is the only option, as ever, at Ibrox.

They’ve redeemed themselves because of the magnificent work of Clement. If that falls short everyone will point to this January, because of what will be perceived as a lack of decisive action and history repeating itself once again.

If we come up short it will be another huge opportunity missed in what should have been a positive window, on top of the exciting business already wrapped up. 

We simply cannot afford to fall into the ‘nearly’ category once again.

It’s all still to play for, the business that has been done looks exciting even if it was swallowed in a sea of frustration last night.

I worry we don’t have enough to capitalise from such a strong position. My only wish is to see Clement lift more silverware and make us champions once again.

However, the question is has he been dealt the best possible hand?

Let’s wait and see.

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