Rangers: The Ibrox issues ahead of the January transfer window

The Light Blues have not had a resoundingly successful transfer window since Mark Warburton’s first at Ibrox and the chances to enhance the squad, both in terms of strength and depth, have been repeatedly squandered.

Twelve months ago, the Englishman was given limited funds following a series of poor decisions in the summer and amid doubts over his future. Within weeks, he was gone.

Read more: European cash is key as part of Rangers rebuilding job, says Ibrox chief Stewart Robertson

A Director of Football didn’t arrive before Pedro Caixinha did, however, and it was the Portuguese that was given licence to splash the cash to remove the unwanted remnants of the Warburton era and put his own mark on the squad.

Now, with Caixinha gone, Rangers still find themselves short of where they expected to be and where they need to be if they are to challenge Celtic as quickly as possible.

Here, SportTimes looks at the issues the Ibrox board face as the clock ticks towards the opening of the January transfer window.

WHO PICKS THE PLAYERS?

Mark Allen unveiled his new scouting team several weeks ago and the Director of Football will oversee the recruitment process and compile lists of potential targets for January and the summer.

But it would make little sense for big money to be spent and long contracts handed out until a manager has been appointed and he has had a chance to assess the squad.

A boss is unlikely to want players foisted upon him having had no say in who or what he wants brought to the club and Rangers need a man in the dugout before they can start to seriously look at the squad.

Allen’s background is in producing youngsters at the Man City Academy, not signing proven first team players, and there is no margin for error at Ibrox right now.

Read more: European cash is key as part of Rangers rebuilding job, says Ibrox chief Stewart Robertson

The uncertainty over who will be in charge leaves Rangers on the back foot heading into what is an important few weeks of business and it could cost them.

With Allen and his team in place, Rangers should be better equipped than they were when Warburton and Frank McParland were doing all the deals. But, with no manager at the helm, they aren’t in a position to make the most of the situation.

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL BE SPENT?

Caixinha was handed around £8million to overhaul the squad in the summer but Rangers have seen little return for that significant investment, or the wages that are being paid out every week.

RIFC plc posted a loss of more than £6million for the last financial year and any funds for transfers will have to come from Ibrox investors. New Oasis Asset Limited have already committed £7.2million to meet shortfalls for the next two seasons.

A share issue will be held to convert some of the soft loans to shares but could also raise cash to be used in the summer window, where Rangers will need to do more business.

Good money can’t continue to be thrown after bad and it would be no surprise to see spending kept low given the various issues in play.

Ideally, Rangers would also have one eye on next term and be securing players on pre-contract deals over the next few weeks, but they are in danger of being left behind in that regard as well.

Read more: European cash is key as part of Rangers rebuilding job, says Ibrox chief Stewart Robertson

WHAT POSITIONS NEED STRENGTHENED?

Some areas require more attention than others right now but, in time, Rangers could do with reinforcements and an increase in quality all around the team.

Missing out on Jamie Walker in the summer left the Light Blues with no real competition in the wide areas and that needs addressed.

With Kenny Miller injured and Eduardo Herrera and Carlos Pena failing to make an impression, Rangers are short of options in the final third. So a striker must be a priority signing to take some of the burden off Alfredo Morelos, who is one of the few summer recruits that has proven to be value for money so far.

The side has lacked a creative spark for most of the campaign and the loss of Graham Dorrans has certainly been felt. Niko Kranjcar hasn’t contributed enough and will need replaced in the squad either this month or in the summer to give Rangers more flair in the middle of the park.

DO THE LOAN PLAYERS HAVE ANY FUTURE AT RANGERS?

Striker Joe Dodoo will return north of the border after failing to make an impact at Charlton but he surely has no long-term future in Glasgow. The same can be said for Harry Forrester, who will stay with Wimbledon until the summer.

Andy Halliday will hope that he hasn’t played his last game for Rangers, though. The midfielder moved to Gabala on a season-long loan deal but the switch to Azerbaijan hasn’t gone to plan as he has struggled for game time.

The departure of Caixinha and a change in the dugout could give him another chance to prove himself at his boyhood heroes, but that may not arrive until next season.

Read more: European cash is key as part of Rangers rebuilding job, says Ibrox chief Stewart Robertson

The opportunity could arrive sooner than that for Michael O’Halloran but he finds himself in an uncertain situation despite impressing since his return to St Johnstone.

He is not the answer to Rangers’ problems, but a new manager may feel he can get more out of a player that Perth boss Tommy Wright would surely like to retain.

WILL ANYONE BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE?

Rangers do need to shift some deadwood once again but it is hard to see there being another major Ibrox exodus in the coming weeks.

The moves for Pena and Herrera haven’t worked out and Rangers shouldn’t stand in their way if money is put on the table for them.

Bruno Alves cast doubt over his future a few weeks ago and could look for clarity on what the future holds at Ibrox as he looks to earn a place at the World Cup.

Aaron Nemane hasn’t done enough to justify being kept on beyond January, while Dalcio hasn’t done anything at all and there is no point in the winger being here for the second half of the campaign.