Rangers just brought in three new defensive midfielders this summer, but they already had six on their books. Yeah, you read that right. And with Nicolas Raskin reportedly wanting out for a top-five league, the Ibrox engine room is looking like an absolute madhouse right now, not a well-oiled machine. It is a situation that has everyone wondering what manager Derek McInnes’s master plan actually is.
Cammy Devlin’s “Wry Smile” Tells You Everything
When Cammy Devlin made his summer switch from rivals Heart of Midlothian, you’d think he’d be walking right into a starting spot, especially after being a key player in their title challenge. But even he could not hide a wry smile when asked if he was a surefire starter. His first training sessions were a quick reality check, a stark reminder of the “plethora” of players already fighting for those central midfield spots. It makes you wonder how McInnes plans to keep everyone happy and performing. Devlin himself admitted he is taking nothing for granted, despite his close relationship with the manager, even hailing the “quality” of his midfield rivals. That tells you the competition is intense.
Midfield Mayhem: Who’s Really In The Fight?
Three of Rangers’ seven summer signings are central midfielders. Devlin, Dan Neil (a free agent from Sunderland), and 20-year-old Vanja Dragojevic (purchased from Partizan where he was captain) are all defensive-minded. But here’s the kicker: they joined six existing midfielders, not counting the three who were out on loan! Who is actually fighting for that defensive spot? You can probably discount Thelo Aasgaard (attacking), Nedim Bajrami (failed to become a regular), Jose Cifuentes, Lyall Cameron, and Paul Nsio (all returned from loans and not ready). That still leaves Mohamed Diomande as a box-to-box option, Tochi Chukwuani still bedding in, and Scotland cap Connor Barron, who must have been pumped for his old Aberdeen manager to arrive and hopefully get him more starts. Then there is Raskin, who got rave reviews at the World Cup playing defensively, even though he looks more effective pushing forward for Rangers. Given his desire to move, Rangers are likely looking to cash in this summer. Yet, they are still linked with another Sturm Graz defensive midfielder, Ryan Fosso, while bids for attacking midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl were reportedly rejected. Talk about a confusing picture!
So, what’s next? McInnes hopes to complete a couple more deals before the season opener against Dundee United on Friday evening, though he said they are not necessarily midfielders. Good, because we need some clarity in that engine room. How McInnes sorts out this defensive midfield logjam will define their early season form. He has got a massive puzzle to solve before that first whistle blows.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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