Following their return to the top tier of Scottish football last year, Rangers F.C. have been eyeing a Premiership triumph under Pedro Caixinha who has already brought in a number of new recruits and is keen to add more names to his squad in order to compete against age-old rivals Celtic FC who secured their sixth consecutive league title as well as a domestic treble under Brendan Rodgers, remaining unbeaten.
Caixinha, who had previous managerial experience in Portugal and Mexico, used his influence to acquire 8 new signings already in order to reconstruct the Gers squad for the upcoming campaign. Bruno Alves, the veteran Portuguese international centre back and Scottish midfielder Ryan Jack, the former Aberdeen skipper are certainly the best piece of business who joined them on Bosman transfers.
The Portuguese tactical has also brought in Mexican international duo Eduardo Herrera and Carlos Pena after impressing the gaffer during his spell with Mexican outfit Santos Laguna. Winger Daniel Candeias and centre-back Fabio Cardoso – the Portuguese duo has joined the Gers along with young midfielder Dalcio who has been loaned in from Benfica.
However, Alfredo Morelos, the Colombian youngster, is the most exhilarating arrival so far with his stunning scoring records for Finnish outfit HJK Helsinki.
The return of veteran Niko Kranjcar and promising Jordan Rossiter, who missed out the majority of the previous season remaining sidelined with a lengthy spell of injury concerns, has increased their depth in midfield.
Also, Caixinha is looking to add more experience in the middle of the park and sighted Norwich City midfielder Graham Dorrans as one of his major transfer targets.
Caixinha, understandably, is eyeing a squad overhaul and early business indicates his intentions of progressing through to the group stages of Europa League competition. However, the Gers still lack an outright goalscorer. Joe Garner has been transferred out to English Championship outfit Ipswich Town whereas Maryn Waghorn has struggled with inconsistency and lack of conversion.
They still vastly depend on 37- year old forward Kenny Miller who netted the solitary goal at Ibrox against FC Progres Niedercorn last week in their Europa League Round 1 qualification fixture.
Alex Rae, the former Rangers midfielder, is not optimistic about Caixinha’s transfer activity so far. The lack of British talents and local recruits might cost him next season according to Rae who won the Premiership title with the Scottish heavyweights during his short stint.
“Pedro is on record saying that this isn’t a gamble but I actually think it’s a bigger gamble going the way he has.”
But the boss is definitely not going to draw a conclusion yet on his signings as he is confident about their credentials and believes his recruits can guide the Gers towards league glory.
He has already reignited their age-old rivalry with Celtic by banning his players from wearing green boots, the colour that represents the Hoops:
“From today, no one will wear boots of that colour because it is the colour of Celtic.”
The Portugal tactician has already become fans’ favourite due to his passion, philosophy, as well as commitment towards the club and, is believed to be the one who will restore their lost glory very soon.
