Rangers might have returned to the top flight of Scottish football last season following four years of absence, they, however, are way behind their great rivals Celtic in terms of quality as well as recruitment and must spend wisely in the upcoming summer window to stake a claim in the Premiership title challenge. The Hoops are currently on course of clinching their seventh consecutive league title and none of their counterparts have managed to challenge their monopoly in recent years. Rangers’ emergence was supposed to bring back the lost charm of the league, but they are yet to settle in and upgrade themselves to match Celtic’s standards. The gamble of appointing Pedro Caixinha did not pay off for the Light Blues and Graeme Murty, although has done a decent job since taking over the managerial duties, is unlikely to be retained beyond this campaign.
The Gers need heavy investment but, at the same time, must offload a few of their flops to balance the books. They are not blessed to spend millions in the transfer market, therefore, do not have the luxury of maintaining a big squad and paying their wages.
Here are three such players who are surplus to requirements at Ibrox and should be transferred out as soon as the summer window begins.
Eduardo Herrera
One of many Caixinha’s recruits who failed miserably in Premiership football. Herrera joined the Gers from Liga MX side Pumas last summer but failed to live up to the hype that he earned back in his country. The 29-year-old striker has represented Mexico 9 times and previously had a stint under Pedro Caixinha at Santos Laguna. He was supposed to be the replacement of Martyn Waghorn who joined Ipswich Town and the Mexican initially earned the fans backing due to his physicality and aerial presence inside the box. Herrera, known as a box striker, has managed to score only once in the league in 19 appearances and lost his place to young Colombian Alfredo Morelos who is in contention for the Golden Boot award. The forward has only managed a few late substitute appearances later on and does not even feature among the subs these days.
Fabio Cardoso
The Portuguese centre-back is loving life in Scotland and has vowed to fight for a place in the first-team which his lost upon Pedro Caixinha’s dismissal. The Portuguese tactician used his influence and brought in the 23-year-old from Primeira Liga outfit Vitória Setúbal. He was initially a first-team regular but lost his place following a series of dismal outings. The Gers have loaned in Russell Martin from Norwich City and wants to make his move permanent in summer. Veteran Bruno Alves is also settling in new surroundings whereas youngsters like David Bates and Ross McCrorie have emerged as first-team regulars under Graeme Murty. Cardoso, therefore, does not have a future at Ibrox and should find a new club this summer.
Jason Holt
The former Scottish youth international started his Rangers career with full of promises and played a major role in their Premiership return a couple of seasons back. But the 25-year-old midfielder has failed to replicate the same in the top flight and is still having a spell of mediocrity in the middle of the park. He is not even involved in the matchday squad these days and the Gers have found adequate resources to slot in and perform better in a similar midfield role. It’s time for the Scotsman to move out and feature regularly somewhere else to redefine his lost form.
