03 Mar 2026 10:02:53
Since it seems to be one of the main focal points of our season, thought I would put a wee post up about it. Thinking ahead to next season, who from our current crop of defenders do wee see staying and going? Does Sterling get kept even though he has so many injury concerns? Does Fernandez stay even if a substantial offer comes in? I know most views on Tav so won't bother too much with that one.
Is there any of the four on loan that we keep permanent? And obviously Souttar has already commited to staying, but could we still move him on? Thoughts
03 Mar 2026 10:29:33
Think we would only move Souttar on if we could replace him with another home grown player of the same standard. I very much feel like he will have a lesser role next season.
Out of all the on loan players, the only one currently I would consider would be Cornelius, but that would be reliant on him hitting the ground running on his return from injury.
Olsen has the potential to earn his permanent move, but needs to show more than just the odd assist in order to do so, given the money involved.
03 Mar 2026 11:05:38
Need better. We have seen over a period of time what Souttar offers. He gives his all and is better up against a less mobile big centre forward. Up against someone quick or with movement, you saw on Sunday what happened: lapses and being caught in no man's land, and that happens quite a bit over a season.
Fernandez still has to learn and has shown good attributes, but has a lot to do to be considered a good defender.
We need two centre halves and a right back.
Better options are needed for the big league games and in Europe.
03 Mar 2026 12:01:14
Definitely need a starting right back and centre half. Probably a backup LB, RB and CH.
I don't think any of the loans are worth trying to keep.
I like big Manny, and I think he has the attributes we need in a CH. I just don't think Souttar is what we need. I did rate him and had high hopes for him when he joined us, but I don't feel that way anymore.
When Rohl came in and made us a defensive side who kept the zero, Souttar was really good.
But as soon as he changed us to an attacking team who commit bodies forward, you see Souttar is just not suited to that style.
I understand re-signing him because of homegrown status and also the number of defenders leaving in the summer. It's a good deal for Rangers in terms of contractual flexibility. But next season, we need him to be a backup if we are to progress.
03 Mar 2026 12:43:58
I would sell Sterling, if we could. His fitness issues have gone on too long, and with Aarons sent back we need two right backs. The only centre back that looks half decent is Fernandez, so Djiga and Cornelius to go back, and Souttar to be sold or kept as third- or fourth-choice centre back. We need at least two centre backs in, and a backup left back for Rommens, as Meghoma will also go back.
Of the loanees further forward, Moore will go back, and Skov Olsen will need to pick up his performances before I would splash £8million on him, although he has shown some signs that he has got quality, but not enough yet.
03 Mar 2026 12:47:30
The change to a more attacking style has resulted in more goals being lost and more draws. However, in the same way as the lack of goals against wasn't just due to defence and GK, I don't think it would be entirely fair to blame just John Souttar for this. The question is, at least till the end of the season, how do we play with more flair and keep it tighter as a team.
With 2 up front, we get the best out of Chermiti, it seems, but not the best out of Souttar. Surely, there needs to be a balance point in the middle which would suit both.
03 Mar 2026 12:52:59
Three loan deals are expiring: Meghoma, Djiga, and Aarons. So Rangers will need a LB, CB, and RB to replace them. If Tavernier leaves, then two RBs will be needed. That's 4 new defenders, and the rest of this team needs a lot of work. So I'd try to limit it at that.
Sterling is injury-prone and can play across the backline. I'd view him as more of a squad player, or utility player for next season. He can fill in gaps all over the place if and when injuries and suspensions rack up.
03 Mar 2026 12:58:55
Get a good fee for Raskin and move him on. He lacks physical presence and goes missing in too many games.
03 Mar 2026 13:05:47
I get what you're saying, Angus, but he has been poor since making that change. I just don't see him as a good high line defender. I think you need good communication between our defenders in that situation, and that's one of his biggest weaknesses for me.
I don't blame him for everything, though.
I am also now at the stage where I don't rate Raskin either. I also think Tav has been poor in recent games. I know it's a bit too easy to blame individuals, and I understand Tav is an easy scapegoat as well. But I honestly don't see any of them as good players when we have a high line.
03 Mar 2026 13:14:30
Many things will depend on which European comp we're in, I think.
03 Mar 2026 13:20:25
I'm not sure we have seen enough of Cornelius to justify bringing him in permanently. That's just my personal opinion. I agree Souttar isn't suited to a more attacking style, so therefore shouldn't be a 1st choice next year. If we do keep him, it would solely be as back up.
It's so frustrating with Sterling. If he was injury free, I actually don't think we would hold onto him. I would send all loanees back, bring in a back up LB, 2 CBs and 2 RBs. This is the main problem for me, so therefore we need to spend what budget we have on these positions.
03 Mar 2026 13:20:49
Tommy, I agree, and let's be clear I am not saying he is the best defender, but something in the way has changed to make him more vulnerable. That may be the keeping of more of a high line, or that lack of midfield support directly in front, but something has changed.
I think Raskin isn't suited to that number 6 role, and as managers have said, he needs to be dragged to the side and told what to do and why it is being done. That wasn't seen as an issue when the argument with Martin was happening, but perhaps this proves it can be.
10 minutes into the second half of an OF, when they have the momentum, it is difficult to do that with any player; we want them to recognise the issue and deal with it on the pitch.
High line for Tavs would be an issue, possibly as he isn't as mobile getting back as he should be. I see a MF covering that, though, in the same way as Ryan Jack used to. Not excusing him, but just an observation on it. Sterling is more mobile, so is the better option there now.
03 Mar 2026 13:28:37
Angus, Souttar has never been good enough. A stopgap and home grown, that is all. He must be back up next season or we will struggle again.
Would keep none of the loans.
Sterling can't stay fit and is on a good wage, he needs to leave.
I would only keep Manny F. and Rommens.
03 Mar 2026 13:43:23
Angus, we went to a five to give Souttar more protection when Rohl came in. In fact, he was out for a while, and Fernandez and Djiga were probably more reliable. I'm not seeing anything unfair about him just pointing out that he and the current defenders are not at the level needed, and this is fair comment. You're right about what you say about him being exposed as part of a back four.
Do we go back to a five to protect him, then we lose that attacking option middle to front?
I said a week or go after seeing how fragile our defence has been that maybe the best option for the time being would be to go back to a five to try and get back to clean sheets.
Confident we can score, but we have conceded six in the last three games.
03 Mar 2026 13:49:20
Sorry, Angus, just saw your last bit in your post about Sterling playing in defence. Yes, that would give some pace against quick players, but as we know, he's not reliable enough, so, up against pace, the only current option for me would be Djiga.
Going back to Maeda's free header leading to their pen, Souttar matched him to the near post, then got caught ball watching, so that's not being exposed to pace, it's switching off, and that's a real concern.
03 Mar 2026 13:52:28
As we push forward, and the defence is keeping a high line, they know they can't recover fast enough against quick attackers, so they don't keep a high enough line. The result, then, is the gap between mid and our defence is bigger, and the mid can't or won't come back quick enough to support.
03 Mar 2026 13:58:18
While I get that some don't like Souttar or even Barron, what we do need is some Scottish players in the team. I feel as if that's where the drive and tenacity often comes from. I get why Souttar has been re-signed, as he was out of contract, but he's been a bit dubious in some games.
03 Mar 2026 14:09:08
I'd take Barron every day of the week over Raskin. Barron performs well for the team, whereas Raskin promises more but delivers less. Barron is also a much better footballer than he is given credit for.
While I am at it, I'd move Dio on for the same reason as Raskin.
They are not consistent or reliable enough in terms of performance. Both have been given ample opportunity, and they have just not done it. I think Dio is the better player, but he doesn't suit our league.
03 Mar 2026 16:26:53
Tommy, I'd always have Barron in my midfield for what he brings as a defensive midfielder, mate. ? What an engine and work ethic Barron has. He covers/protects our backline and does the hard donkey work well, which allows our more technical players to have the platform to do what they do best. ?
03 Mar 2026 18:23:56
Coops' defensive midfielder is a 6. Barron is never a 6 in a million years, and never will be.
03 Mar 2026 18:44:22
Roseval, I agree. Re the Maeda chance, is it switching off or just the reaction time against speedy attackers? Would need to watch it again to see.
I also agree about Djiga having more pace, which allows us to keep that higher line, possibly.
We just need to find a solution to allow us to play that more attacking style, or we need to go back to being pragmatic. And, it needs to happen quickly, as there isn't much time left.
03 Mar 2026 18:48:15
Orange, imo, it's a real bonus that so many can leave.
Djiga
Arrons
Cornelius
Tavernier
Nsiala has no future.
So, left with Rommens, Fernandez and Souttar, we need at least 4 in.
03 Mar 2026 19:27:53
Angus, you're bang on. We are now trying to play a more pressing game, so the defence has a higher line, and we are going man to man at times. Now we have seen plenty of teams play that way, and the ones that it works with are the teams that have quick defenders, so with our personnel available, most probably Djiga and Fernandez are better equipped for this. It's not Souttar's natural game, as he likes to drop off if he's high, as he is worried about being up against pace, and that's not a criticism, it's not his game, but where I do criticise him is his lapses and sleeping against movement in the box.
So do we revert back to a formation to suit him? We can't, as we have players that can hurt teams going forward.
It's a big call for the manager, but it's one that may see Souttar drop out the line up.
03 Mar 2026 19:40:03
John, have we seen enough of Cornelius to rule him out? He didn't play many games before his injury. Personally, I'd like to see how he fares when he is fit and available.
03 Mar 2026 20:39:37
Good, no post, Gees. ?
03 Mar 2026 20:41:02
Rosevale, imo, yes. I said before his injury he is too slow and not physical enough for our league.
03 Mar 2026 20:47:09
So what is Barron then, Storm, if he's not a defensive midfielder who protects, mate? Let's have it. ? He's certainly not an 8 or 10 for me, and, going by your assumption, then he must be an 8 or a 10, and he's never that, so which type of midfielder is he according to you. ?
03 Mar 2026 21:35:32
Going by the definition of a no 6 SWS, I agree with you that that is what Barron is. A defensive midfielder, who breaks up play and offers an out pass for the defence. ? Rosevale, when is Cornelius due back from injury? Just not sure that he would even have enough time to prove he is worth a punt.
03 Mar 2026 21:38:08
John, I agree. We need at least 4 defenders. I would even say 5, depending on what we have planned going forward for Sterling. But, at a minimum, we need a starting RB (similar to Rommens would be ideal), 2 CB's (at least 1 as a starter), and a back up LB.
I think that's where any budget will be spent, and then after that it will be a one in one out scenario.
03 Mar 2026 23:14:15
Fair enough, John.
Personally don't think he's played enough games to judge.
04 Mar 2026 09:36:58
I liked Cornelius as left back more than centre back. I thought he looked a very good left back.
I'd be happy with him as understudy to Rommens, but would prefer a Scots trained player.
04 Mar 2026 10:32:33
Rosevale, I agree with you on Cornelius. I would like to see more of him before making a decision. I also quite liked him as LB, so is that a solution to make more funds available elsewhere - having a player like Cornelius who would be back up for both, but good enough to play both and challenge for that place.
04 Mar 2026 10:50:50
He isn't good enough to be the 6 that we need, Coops, you know what I mean. He isn't good enough, plain and simple.
04 Mar 2026 10:52:11
Are you saying he is the 6 we need, Coops? The 6 we have been crying out for?
Fans forget we drew a lot of games with Barron playing. ?