By Rangers have continued fine without their summer ‘marquee’ signings
The club added Joey Barton this summer despite the interests in the player after a decent run last term. Niko Kranjcar was another signing who brought hope to the side.
Rangers Coach Mark Warburton would have been praying for a chance to get Premiership promotion after recently enjoying one, and armed with a young, hungry side keen on more successes. With the suspension of Barton and Kranjcar’s cruciate ligament tear, it would have been a scare. However, Jason Holt, Andy Halliday and Josh Windass seem to have found a good combination in the middle.
Barton’s signing received praises, particularly with the way Warburton got him. However, many would be cursing under their breath as it looks like the player may have played his last for Rangers. For Kranjcar, there were concerns as he came from North America. He started the season slowly, but he was gradually proving his naysayers wrong before he picked up the injury.
Surprisingly, the Rangers squad seems not to be too bothered with the absence of the Croatian.
Veterans Matt Gilks and Clint Hill were among the nine new faces Warburton signed before the season. Warburton wanted to add Aston Villa’s Joleon Lescott to the list but the player failed the club’s medicals so the coach opted for former Arsenal player Phillipe Senderos.
The available players seem to be focused on the club’s games. Halliday is even on goal-scoring form, Holt has been decent, and Windass has proved that it was wise signing him from Accrington. There are still options in Matt Crooks and Jordan Rossiter as they gradually regain full match fitness. Barrie McKay and Harry Forrester can play in central positions, provided the much needed cover to the summer ‘marquee’ signings.