It would always be a tough ask for Michael Beale to claw back the nine-point deficit that Giovanni van Bronckhorst left for him when joining in the World Cup break - but the summer transfer window gives the Englishman the chance to build his own squad from his own slate.
The two January signings of Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin have fared well in their debut season in Scotland, especially with the capture of Cantwell being classed as as coup. But, with long-serving stars such as Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, Steven Davis, Ryan Jack and Allan McGregor leaving in the summer, Beale has a huge rebuild on his hands.
With that in mind, Glasgow Live takes a look at a replacement for one of each - a goalkeeper replacement for McGregor, a striker for Morelos' departure, a tricky winger for Kent's exit, a central midfielder to replace Davis and a centre-back for good measure. Here, we look at five options that could arrive in Govan on a free transfer.
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Goalkeeper: Wes Foderingham
He couldn't...could he?
Foderingham was at Rangers from 2015 until 2020, departing after two years of almost evasive action once Allan McGregor came back to the club.
Moving to Sheffield United, it seemed as though his career was diminishing, especially given he moved to the Blades to be an understudy to Aaron Ramsdale. But two strong seasons between the sticks at Bramall Lane has seen the club promoted back to the Premier League, and Foderingham has been a big part of that.
Listen, it's not a completely outlandish claim. It's a division that Beale knows well, Foderingham is a keeper that Beale will know well from his time under Steven Gerrard, and the London-born star knows the club well.
The Blades may look to bring a new shotstopper in with their enhanced budget, and with McGregor leaving, Robby McCrorie needs serious competition. I don't think it's too out there.
Centre-back: Jake Cooper
Millwall's failure to make the Sky Bet Championship play-offs was quite catastrophically abysmal.
The Lions were sixth after beating Swansea 2-1 on March 14, but just two wins, two draws and FIVE losses from their final nine games was enough to consign them to another season in England’s second tier. In fact, had they held on at 3-1 up against Blackburn Rovers on the final day, they’d have qualified, but a 3-4 loss means they are now in the lurch.
It could mean an exit for Jake Cooper. The 6ft 6in centre-back has played for Millwall permanently since 2017, missing just 16 league games in that time - though with trophies evidently not arriving at The Den, he could search for some at Ibrox.
Beale will know of Cooper from his time in the Championship whilst at QPR earlier this season, and he could form cheap yet experienced competition for Ben Davies and John Souttar, both of whom have failed to play to their best levels recently. And, scoring 21 goals in that time, he can form a threat at either end.
Central midfield: Ben Wiles
Rotherham star Wiles is only 24, but he has had vast amounts of experience at his hometown club. With 190 games for the Millers already, he has been a mainstay in their side since the age of 18; but with his contract up this summer and with the Yorkshire club remaining in the second tier - like Cooper - Rangers could make him an offer.
Having been linked with newly-promoted Burnley and admitting he was dismayed when the club didn’t sell him to the Clarets, his heart clearly isn’t set on a future at the New York Stadium. Adept at both defending and in transition, he would represent a superb option for Beale.
Further motivation for Wiles to make the move north is that, with strong performances in the Scottish Premiership, he could make his way onto Steve Clarke's plans - able to qualify for Scotland through his grandfather, Wiles and Rangers could be a move that sit hand-in-hand.
Winger: Roger Martinez
It could be one Colombian out on a free and one Colombian in on a free this summer.
Martinez has had a peculiar career so far. 28 years old, he moved to Argentina aged 17, where he made his debut for Buenos Aires-based club Racing at 19. A promising career in South America saw him move to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning, involving a loan move to Villarreal, before ending up at Club America in Mexico.
25 caps for Colombia - more than double that of Alfredo Morelos - means that he evidently has some pedigree, especially when competing with the likes of James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz and Juan Cuadrado.
Even in 2020, he said: “I only said that if an offer came in they would listen to it. It’s not a crime that a player wants to go and play in Europe.” Will Rangers be the real birth of his first real move to the continent?
Striker: Josh Maja
Those who have watched the 'Sunderland Til' I Die' Netflix documentary should be well aware of Maja's talents.
Moving to the Black Cats aged 17, Maja made his debut just two years later, though his cameo appearances weren't enough to save the north-east outfit from going down to the third tier.
It was in League One where he made his name; 15 goals in just 24 league games saw him move to Bordeaux, where he remains to this day with 12 goals in 28 league games this season.
Morelos' move away from Ibrox this summer is already well documented, and should Antonio Colak take up a more senior role, Maja could look to be his understudy. Already moving to France at a young age, he isn't afraid to down tools for a new challenge.
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