Rangers completed the first signing of the Philippe Clement era on December 28th, Fabio Silva joining on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers three days before the January window actually opened.
Five months on, the Scottish Premiership challengers are once again bursting out of the blocks, operating with one eye on the summer market while there are still two trophies to be fought for.
Rangers are expected to target reinforcements in a number of different areas this summer. A back-up goalkeeper may be required. There will be gaps to fill at left-back and in central midfield if Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack and John Lundstram leave on free transfers.
The interest in MacArthur FC starlet Raphael Borges Rodrigues – as hinted at by the Aussie’s agent this week – may have arisen with doubts over the long-term future of Brighton and Hove Albion loanee Abdallah Sima in mind.
Rangers closing in on Jose Cordoba deal with Levski Sofia
It appears that Rangers’ first signing of the summer, however, will not be a forward, a midfielder or a left-back. Rangers Review reports that Clement’s side have entered ‘advanced talks’ to sign Jose Cordoba from Bulgarian outfit Levski Sofia.
A left-sided centre-half who represents Panama at international level, the allegedly £3 million-rated Cordoba was in the stands as Rangers beat Kilmarnock 4-1 on Sunday. A result which kept the blue-clad outfit within touching distance of Celtic ahead of this weekend’s Old Firm derby.
Rangers Review reports that interest in Cordoba is now being stepped up, with discussions seemingly progressing pretty quickly.
Still only 22, Cordoba had a spell in Spain with Celta Vigo but moved to Bulgaria in 2021. He was part of the Levski Sofia side which lifted the Bulgarian Cup in 2022, and was then named the top-flight’s ‘Best Defender’ soon after.
If Cordoba is a future Rangers defender, then one of their present centre-halves is going through one of the most difficult spells in his career north of the border. Connor Goldson, the long-serving colossus, has seen mistakes creep into his game at a rather alarming rate recently.
A new defender heading to Ibrox?
Goldson has now played his final game of 2023/24 after picking up a knee injury which will keep him out of both of the upcoming Old Firm clashes? Has he played his final game for Rangers full stop, however? Those Saudi Arabian rumours are going nowhere.
“A player fell on Connor’s knee (in training) and he hurt his knee badly,” Clement sighed. “He had a scan and he has a tear in his medial ligament so he will be out for the rest of the season.”
“It is, of course, a blow. He has played 48 games this season. He has played a lot of good games. He’s one of the leaders in the team and he does that role really well. And that was also one of the first things he said to me, that he wanted to be in the dressing room for the next couple of games although he cannot play, to be there for the boys and support them.
“So that is also a positive thing from his side, the commitment he has to this group and this club. He can help people in their motivation and calmness or whatever they need and he is part of this group.
“It is a good sign that someone wants to be there for the team but, of course, it is unlucky to lose him now.
“It has been the story of this season. Players get injuries but it is up to others to step up.”
