The transfer window is still three weeks away from opening on June 15, but Rangers are already positioning themselves for a busy summer of business.
They have their first deal of the summer effectively over the line, with the arrival of Lawrence Shankland an encouraging start to what is expected to be a hectic spell of wheeling and dealing.
Per The Rangers Review, Confirmation of the move is anticipated on Tuesday evening before Shankland turns his full attention to international matters and prepares for the World Cup with Scotland this summer.
Shankland cut short a family holiday to ensure his dream move was signed and sealed before he heads off to America with Steve Clarke’s squad. That determination to get the deal done and pull on a blue jersey sums up the attitude Danny Rohl is seeking to inject into his group ahead of the new campaign.
The deal will be announced as an undisclosed fee after Rangers activated a clause in the contract he signed at Tynecastle last summer. He will sign for two years with the option of a third. The forward underwent a medical on Tuesday morning after agreeing on personal terms on Sunday evening.
Off the pitch, Rangers’ summer work will be shaped by a clear recruitment strategy. Speaking to the media after the Premiership finale with Falkirk earlier this month, chairman Andrew Cavenagh outlined the ‘Scottish bias’ now embedded in the club’s approach.
If two players are ranked the same across key metrics, Rangers will opt for the domestic option over an outsider. Knowledge of the league and the club is viewed as a prerequisite for the squad this summer.
That thinking is reflected in their interest in Dundee defender Luke Graham as Rohl looks to strengthen at centre-back following the end of the loan agreements with Nasser Djiga and Derek Cornelius.
Rangers watched the 22-year-old several times over the course of the campaign, and he has no shortage of admirers.
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Preliminary talks have taken place with his representatives about a potential move, but no official approach has yet been made to Dundee. Graham remains one of several options being considered at centre-back.
Portsmouth, who pushed for a deal in January, are expected to return to the table this summer. Graham has also been called into Steve Clarke’s training squad ahead of the friendly with Curacao at Hampden this weekend.
Another domestic option under consideration is Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt. He is one of the candidates Rohl is weighing up as he looks to address the No.6 position.
As it stands, however, no transfer bid has been lodged with Fir Park for a player who was a standout in a successful season for the Steelmen. The Watt situation could hinge on Dan Neil’s plans this summer.
The 24-year-old was a target during the winter window before moving from Sunderland to Ipswich Town and is now back on Rangers’ radar ahead of the expiry of his Black Cats contract.
He has interest from Premier League clubs in England, and Rangers are not understood to be close to an agreement to bring him to Glasgow at this stage.
One name that has resurfaced from January is Josh Windass. At that time, it was reported that the midfielder was not in line for a return to Ibrox, and he remained with Wrexham for the rest of the campaign.
Fresh reports in England suggested Windass was back on the agenda, but the chances of a second stint have been dismissed by Ibrox sources.
That is despite Rohl having enjoyed a strong relationship with the player at Sheffield Wednesday.
