Rangers have a few issues to address this summer and Philippe Clement has his work cut out to improve the balance of a squad in desperate need of repair.
It’s not just quality that is needed; there is a lack of left-footed attackers, defensive midfielders and only two central strikers, not to mention a worrying derth of home-grown players.
Most elite level Scottish players are based in England and out of Rangers price range, however, the manager has the option to approach one that is heading to Germany for the European Championships.
Rangers have option to make controversial Stuart Armstrong bid
With 44 caps to his name, Stuart Armstrong is one of the most experienced players in Steve Clarke’s squad, he is also now a free agent following his release by Southampton.
It was a surprise to see the newly promoted Premier League side not offer a new contract to a player who has just played 42 league games and has consistently been in and around the starting XI in his six years at the club.
Should Rangers turn their nose up at a player of Armstrong’s quality purely because he played for Celtic?
Of course not.
Murmurs of interest in fellow 32-year old Kenny McLean have been doing the rounds but he is still under contract.
With Ryan Jack and John Lundstram leaving the club, there is a shortage of players who have been there and got the t-shirt.
Armstrong doesn’t have a bad injury history and has always been a player who is fitter and quicker than his peers.
He has pace and legs to lose.
The similarities with Scott Arfield are uncanny.
Armstrong could easily start 30 plus games and come off the bench in the rest and contribute at the sharp end of the pitch.
With six goals and seven assists Armstrong has only two less than Todd Cantwell who was playing as a number 10 for most of the season.
This is what has been missed in midfield since Arfield left for MLS.
Home-grown players are a necessity in this transfer window
Other than players who have come through the academy, the only home-grown options (at the moment) are Robby McCrorie, John Souttar and Scott Wright.
Simply not enough depth or quality for European football.
Clement spoke about having to replace experienced players if they depart.
Not every new signing can be a 20-year old South American when there is predicted to be such a big turnover of players.
Shopping on a budget doesn’t always equate to poorer players arriving and, with 149 Premier League appearances, Armstrong is better than the version that left the SPFL in 2018.
His time in Scotland saw over 100 goal contributions in just under 300 games, the sort of numbers Philippe Clement is crying out for.
