January transfer window review: Rangers

By Alexander Cruickshanks

It has been a busy winter window for the Ibrox club

The January transfer window has suddenly become an exciting time for Rangers supporters. After the loan signing of Fabio Silva (link opens in new tab), Rangers have brought another player in the door and two more additions look to be heading to Ibrox. Let’s take a look at the players that will be and could be playing in front of the Ibrox faithful:

Mohamed Diomande

On January 26, Rangers announced the signing of Mohamed Diomande (22), an Ivorian midfielder coming from Danish talent factory FC Nordsjælland. The details of the deal are an initial six-month loan, with an obligation to buy at the end of the season for a reported £4.3m, when he will become a permanent Rangers player.

In his short professional career, Diomande has made 118 appearances at just 22 years old. He’s a consistent performer with a practically non-existent injury record. A midfielder that doesn’t get injured will be music to the ears of the Rangers fans. Diomande is also versatile, making appearances up top, on the wing, in attacking midfield and even at full-back. A jack of all trades is the profile of player that Philippe Clement admires as he has used players like Dujon Sterling and Todd Cantwell in multiple positions. However, his main strength is in the centre, making 63 appearances in a box-to-box role. This season he’s made 23 appearances in all competitions while grabbing four assists and impressing with one of them coming in European competition. Although a midfielder wasn’t what the Rangers fans expected, on paper, Diomande is exactly what is needed at Ibrox.

Jefté

According to reports from Fabrizio Romano, Rangers have reached an agreement for Jefté (20) a Brazilian left-back on loan at APOEL in Cyprus from Fluminense. The agreement is in place between the teams, the player and the club. However, he is currently out on loan so for the deal to go through APOEL will have to let the player go. If everything runs smoothly, the full-back will sign on the dotted line until 2027.

There isn’t much to go on for this player as this is his first real season of professional football. However, if this season is anything to go by this will be an excellent player for Rangers to get in the door. So far this season, Jefté has made 18 appearances in the league, scoring three and assisting four. He is the personification of the modern full-back and being so young, this would be a clever buy for the Ibrox side. If the deal goes through, Rangers could have a really exciting talent on their hands. It is a signing for the present but also for the future as Rangers have always claimed they use a player trading model.

Óscar Cortés

Cortés hasn’t had many minutes in France, but a move to the Scottish giants could give him the chance to shine (Image: Getty Images)

Colombian flags could be making their return to Ibrox as Óscar Cortés (20) is being rumoured to be joining the Ibrox side. The details of the deal for the player is a loan agreement to the end of the season from Lens with an option to buy the player. He is a right winger and another player with little experience in professional football.

He has struggled for game time at Lens as more experienced players are being picked ahead of him. Only playing 40 minutes in total in League 1 this season, Cortés has scored one goal and assisted another. He needs game time and a place where he can develop. Rangers look like the perfect fit for the youngster. For years, they have been crying out for a right winger and this season has been no different. Scott Wright remains a bit part player and youth academy product, Ross McCausland, has been the main man in that position. Although he has done well, young players need to be managed as too many games can hamper their development. Therefore, the Colombian seems a perfect fit, allowing him and McCausland to develop and share the game time.

The first bits of business under Philippe Clement and the new director of football Nils Koppen seem promising. Gone are the days of signing former stars that were good five years ago. All of these additions are players that can help Rangers in the short and long term both on the pitch and in the financial areas. Fans will hope the best is yet to come and that this will be the transfer strategy going forward.

SportAlexander Cruickshanks