AS they contemplate yet another summer rebuilding of their squad, Rangers could do a lot worse than look to their immediate surrounds for inspiration. The Ibrox club used to make a virtue of cherry-picking the best of talent from other Scottish sides; players who knew the league, the demands associated with playing for Rangers and who rarely cost the earth.

And yet, it is a market that has been largely ignored of late. Of the 15 players brought to the club this season by former manager Mark Warburton only one – young defender David Bates – was recruited from within Scotland. The exact same number of new faces had arrived in the campaign before and, again, only three were sourced locally: Danny Wilson, Michael O’Halloran and Jason Holt, the latter of whom had spent the second half of the previous season in England.

Just like his predecessor, Pedro Caixinha will lean towards certain markets that he is more familiar with but there are players currently operating under his nose who would almost certainly improve his squad were he able to tempt them to Ibrox in the summer. Here we look at a team of potential signings from Scottish clubs.

GOALKEEPER:

Zander Clark, St Johnstone, 24

It remains something of a surprise that Clark is yet to earn a Scotland call-up given how consistent he has been for most of this season since replacing Alan Mannus as St Johnstone’s number one. This isn’t a priority position for Rangers - and Clark’s recent contract extension may bump the price tag – but the 24 year-old would be an astute signing.

DEFENCE:

Callum Paterson, Hearts, 22

Probably Hearts’ best player in the first half of the season and now a Scotland squad regular, Paterson is out of contract and not expected to sign a new one. Rangers would face competition from clubs down south – the full-back would likely have moved in January had he not got injured – but it would be a sign of their intent if they could persuade Paterson to join them.

Liam Lindsay, Partick Thistle, 21

This has been an historic season for Thistle as they claimed their first ever top-six Premiership finish and their young, promising centre back has been a key figure in that success. Lindsay has ironed out the rawness of his early displays and morphed into a composed but commanding defender. Seven goals for the season also highlights his attacking capabilities.

Darren McGregor, Hibernian, 31

Of all the decisions taken by Warburton during his time at Rangers, perhaps the most curious was allowing McGregor to move on just weeks after the defender had been named Player of the Year. Hibs have been the beneficiaries, this late bloomer a pivotal presence as his boyhood heroes won the Scottish Cup and now the Championship.

Joe Shaughnessy, St Johnstone, 24

The Irishman was used primarily as a right-back at Aberdeen but it in central defence where he has flourished at McDiarmid Park alongside the evergreen Steven Anderson. Like many of his team-mates, Shaughnessy is unflashy but undoubtedly effective at the heart of one of most miserly defences in the league.

MIDFIELD:

Stephen Mallan, St Mirren, 21

One of the most gifted midfielders in the Championship, Mallan seemed set for a January exit to Barnsley only for the move to break down. St Mirren have benefited from his poise, grace and dead-eyed efficiency in front of goal all of which were showcased in his weekend hat-trick against Raith Rovers.

Craig Sibbald, Falkirk, 21

Voted Falkirk supporters’ Player of the Year, Sibbald seems to have been around forever having made his debut almost six years ago, amassing more than 200 appearances. With his contract expiring, there is an opportunity there for Rangers but others, including Warburton’s Nottingham Forest, have also been credited with an interest.

Graeme Shinnie, Aberdeen, 25

Rangers have previously been linked with Kenny McLean and Ryan Jack but it is their Aberdeen team-mate Shinnie who ought to be the primary target. Able to fill in at left-back if required, the 25 year-old has shone in a defensive midfield role where he has the dynamism to break up play but also get forward as required. A recent contract extension, however, will push the price up.

ATTACK:

Jason Cummings, Hibernian, 21

The bright lights of Glasgow have been the undoing of previous talented but wayward Hibs strikers but Cummings’ goal record speaks for itself - 23 for the season so far, on the back of 25 last year and 21 the season before. He scored just twice in his previous Premiership season but ought to have the tools for the step up three years on.

Louis Moult, Motherwell, 24

The Englishman was sent round the houses early in his career – he had six loan spells – but has finally settled at Motherwell for whom he has enjoyed two stellar seasons. His goal return at a team in relegation trouble has been impressive, scoring 17 this year to add to the 18 he got in his first season.

Liam Boyce, Ross County, 26

For all the plaudits that have deservedly come Moussa Dembele’s way this season he has still scored fewer league goals than a striker operating in a team at the wrong end of the table. Twenty goals – only five from penalties – has been a phenomenal return from Boyce whose goals will likely keep County in the Premiership for another season.