The transfer window has closed and the dust is beginning to settle on a busy summer at Rangers.
The Ibrox club made seven additions to the first team after raking in sizeable fees for the likes of Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey. In came Malik Tillman, Tom Lawrence, John Souttar, Antonio Colak, Ben Davies, Rabbi Matondo and Ridvan Yilmaz to bolster a squad that won the Scottish Cup and reached the Europa League final last term.Fringe players such as Nikola Katic, Jack Simpson, Cedric Itten, Glenn Middleton and Andy Firth went the other to clear up Giovanni van Bronckhorst 's ranks. But how does his squad look now that the deadline has passed?
Hopes of a late addition were raised by qualification for the Champions League and the financial rewards it brings, but deadline day passed without major incident at Ibrox. So, do Rangers have the tools to cope with what's set to be another arduous season at home and on the continent? Record Sport Online looks at every option in Van Bronckhorst's squad.
Goalkeeper
Jon McLaughlin
Allan McGregor
Robby McCrorie
Right-back
James Tavernier
Adam Devine
Centre-back
Connor Goldson
James Sands
Ben Davies
John Souttar
Leon King
Filip Helander
Left-back
Borna Barisic
Ridvan Yilmaz
Centre midfield
John Lundstram
Glen Kamara
Ryan Jack
Steven Davis
Scott Arfield
Charlie McCann
Wingers/attacking midfielders
Ryan Kent
Tom Lawrence
Malik Tillman
Rabbi Matondo
Scott Wright
Alex Lowry
Fashion Sakala
Ianis Hagi
Strikers
Antonio Colak
Alfredo Morelos
Kemar Roofe
Robbie Ure
Verdict?
A section of the Rangers support were left feeling overwhelmed by the club not adding any further signings on deadline day. There was an expectation, one that Van Bronckhorst appeared to be aligned with, that qualification for the Champions League would release more funds for additional signings.
Whether those funds did not become available or Rangers couldn't get the players they wanted is unknown, but the situation has changed the perception of their window somewhat. Is that justified looking at the options above? The jury's out.
Lawrence, Tillman and Colak have all hit the ground running, it's too early to judge Matondo as he finds his feet, Yilmaz hasn't yet had a serious opportunity, while Davies and Souttar have been unfortunately beset by injuries. What fans primarily look for when assessing a summer window is whether the players signed are an upgrade on who departed or who remains.
By that measure, the aforementioned Tillman, Colak and Lawrence appear to have enhanced the starting XI. Some supporters believe right wing remains a problem area and that's not without merit considering Matondo is yet to prove whether he's a better option than Scott Wright or the departed Joe Aribo.
An additional option in centre midfield was expected but it's an area Rangers remain well stocked for numbers. What must also be considered is the pathway for youth academy talent - how would another midfielder have affected Charlie McCann's progression?
The 20-year-old appears to be knocking on the door for regular first-team involvement and it must be a key part of Rangers' football operation to provide pathways for the likes of McCann and Alex Lowry, as they have done with Adam Devine by moving on Mateusz Zukowski. Overall, it's understandable for fans to have expected extra recruits, especially with the Champions League cash banked and the scheduling challenges European football poses, and there is uncertainty in particular areas of the squad.
There are, however, the likes of Ianis Hagi, Filip Helander and Kemar Roofe to return from injury, while Nnamdi Ofoborh's long-term future remains uncertain. A spate of early season injuries, and the issues with Alfredo Morelos, have undoubtedly heightened that anxiety but only time will tell if Van Bronckhorst has been well-equipped enough to compete on all fronts.
