Rangers boss Michael Beale has a lot to do if he is to be satisfied come the end of the January transfer window.
Out of European competition, nine points behind local rivals Celtic in the title race and facing an Ibrox crowd that became disgruntled with Gio van Bronckhorst in his twilight days in west Glasgow, the Englishman must get off to the best start possible to alleviate any potential fears. With the Hoops having already announced the imminent signings of Alistair Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi, Rangers fans will be eagerly anticipating any potential incomings, especially with Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos' futures up in the air.
Step forward reported target Jan Gregus; a Slovakian midfield powerhouse, who is the latest name to be linked with Rangers. According to La Gazzetta Express, Gregus could be first in line under new management given that Glen Kamara could move as a result of Serie A interest, though any deal could well see the duo play together in central midfield - and with his current club San Jose set to let him go in the January window, a move to the SPFL might just be in order for the eastern European machine.
But who is Gregus, how does he play and what can he add to Beale's already midfield-heavy squad? Record Sport takes a look at what he could offer if they manage to beat rumoured interest from French giants Rennes to his signature.
Who is he?
Gregus is a dominating, powerhouse midfielder who plays for San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS and the Slovakian national team. Born in Nitra, Czechoslovakia, Gregus was scouted at the age of just six by hometown club FC Nitra; so it's apparent that he has been rated by many for pretty much his entire 25-year career in a club setup.
Moving from Nita and across the Czech Republic to Banik Ostrava and Jablonec over a seven-year spell, Gregus spent a year at English side Bolton Wanderers; though then-boss Dougie Freedman elected not to use him in the first team despite being 22 years of age, instead featuring in the development squad.
The 6ft 3in midfield star got his big break in 2016, moving to Danish giants FC Copenhagen on a four-year deal. He excelled on the big stage, scoring seven goals in 106 games for the Superliga side with two top-flight titles in three seasons and playing in the Champions League - where he scored in two consecutive seasons against Northern Irish side Crusaders amongst group stage appearances.
2019 saw him hop across the pond to join Minnesota United for £2million, becoming an almost ever-present at the Allianz Field before taking the trip to San Jose in January this year. He scored six goals in his first seven games but has failed to find the net since.
Comparison to current stars
International experience is something that is massively advantageous for a new signing to walk through the door, especially given the prominence of experience in both Celtic and Rangers' squads.
With Scott Arfield, Steven Davis, Ianis Hagi and Glen Kamara all boasting caps from midfield, it is only Davis who has more caps than Gregus in the entire Rangers squad - meaning that Beale could be opting for experience in his ranks to ease him into the Rangers dugout role. Many would argue that a player to develop and sell for a higher fee could be more critical to Rangers' long-term future as a result of their AGM on Tuesday afternoon, but with Gregus able to join on a free transfer, it seems relatively low-risk.
He only missed seven of San Jose's 34 league games this season, so his fitness is not in doubt despite an ankle injury towards the end of his stint in Minnesota. Furthermore, his ability to play in front of the back four, in the heart of midfield and in the hole consistently could solve a lot of problems for Beale, with Arfield and Davis ageing, Ryan Jack's struggles with injury and Ianis Hagi still yet to come back from the treatment table.
What else stands out?
Scotland fans will recall a 1-0 defeat against Slovakia in November 2020 that ultimately proved costly. Gregus scored the solitary goal after half an hour to knock Steve Clarke's men off their perch in the Nations League Group B, with the man of the match showing he can do it against some of the Scottish Premiership's best and brightest.
