After a good couple of weeks, Rangers' summer transfer window is suddenly looking like a successful one. But Kris Boyd feels three signings stand above the rest.
The Ibrox club splashed the cash as they attempt to put last season's finish of third firmly in the rear view mirror, and give Derek McInnes the squad he wants to kick his reign off.
Centre-back Olwethu Makhanya, signed from Philadelphia Union in the summer, has been a standout in recent weeks and has been tipped to make the club big money.
Minsu-Kim has provided an attacking threat in the wide areas with hopes high that he can get even better, while James Penrice has been a revelation at left-back after signing on an initial loan from AEK Athens.
Dan Neil, immediately installed as vice-captain, scored two in the first win over Celtic while his all-round performances have caught the eye. And goalkeeper Ivor Pandur has been solid in the sticks.
Boyd has picked out Neil, Penrice and Pandur as his favoured three.
He told Seven, powered by Ladbrokes: "For Rangers, when you look at the number of players that came in over the summer… it’s a lot.
Read more
Premier League wonderkid urged to consider Rangers loan as perfect example held up Rangers' Findlay Curtis flies home from Scotland camp to join under-21 squad
"It was exactly the same last season, and they’ve already moved a lot of last year’s arrivals on, so the key sooner or later has to be stability. You can’t keep chopping and changing players at the rate Rangers have been doing in recent transfer windows.
"I’ve got to be honest, I think at the start of the season, a lot of people were questioning a lot of the new signings.
"But it might just have taken a while for them to settle, and over the last three, four or five games, I’ve seen a lot of good things.
"Defensively, Rangers look really solid; I think that’s maybe six clean sheets in seven now. They look strong, and there’s competition for places which is absolutely key.
"You need someone breathing down your neck if you’re playing for a successful team. If you’ve got that, you’re going to perform better in training and that usually leads to better performances on the pitch.
"That’s where Derek McInnes is at right now; he’s now settled on a team and he’ll be hoping he can build on that.
"Dan Neil has been excellent since he’s come in; he ran the show at Ibrox and he’s one I’m really looking forward to seeing more of this season.
"The majority of signings have impressed me to be honest… James Penrice is another one.
"The goalkeeper [Ivor Pandur] looks like he’s been Rangers’ goalkeeper for a number of years already… he looks pretty safe.
"I’m sure Derek will feel there are still names that can do a lot more, but the most important thing for me is the competition for places."
