Rangers FC, the Scottish heavyweights, are gearing up for 2017-18 Scottish Premiership campaign in order to battle for the title once more seeking to end arch rival Celtic’s dominance. The Hoops won their sixth consecutive league title and remained unbeaten in their ‘treble winning’ domestic campaign during former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers’ first season in charge.
The Gers, on the other hand, finished third in their top flight return following four years of absence and now are determined to step closer to reconquer the lost throne.
But their horrid run in recent weeks has put their performance under scrutiny and manager Pedro Caixinha, despite bringing in 9 new faces, has been criticised heavily for lack of game-plan and inability to use his options wisely.
A shambolic Europa League qualifying Round 1 exit against Luxembourg minnows FC Progrès Niederkorn followed by a few unconvincing preseason outcomes have jeopardised their title challenge.
The experienced new arrivals like Bruno Alves, Ryan Jack and Graham Dorrans are expected to step up with time, meanwhile, a few of their established names must raise the bar to get the team back on track.
Here are three such Rangers’ stars who must repay manager’s trust and uplift their performance to achieve their season goals.
Martyn Waghorn
The former England U21 international joined the Gers’ a couple of years back and took the Scottish Championship by storm scoring 20 times in 25 league outings. He influenced the Glasgow giants to earn a promotion and was elected as Rangers Players’ Player of The Year for his astounding 2015-16 campaign.
But the Englishman failed to replicate the same last year and struggled in front of goal. Although he was again their top scorer with 16 goals across all competitions, Waghorn only netted 7 times in 32 league outings – four less than 37-year old veteran Scottish international Kenny Miller.
Although he wants to stay in Glasgow amidst interest from his former club Sunderland, the 27-year old marksman must upgrade his display in order to break his goal drought and lead the Gers’ from the front.
Jordan Rossiter
The promising Liverpool youngster was acquired by Rangers FC last year. But his progress was marred by several injuries and appeared only 6 times last term across all competitions.
The 20-year old England youth international was one of the brightest prospects of Kirkby Academy and his decision to leave the Reds for Rangers was a surprise to many.
Rossiter, however, is rated highly by Caixinha for his enormous talent and the manager is banking on him to flourish in the middle of the park alongside Ryan Jack and veteran Graham Dorrans. He is fit to be involved in the preseason and must requite gaffer’s favour in order to get his injury-riddled career back on track.
Danny Wilson
The 25-year old Scottish international has failed to fulfil his true potential so far. The defender had a stint with Premier League giants Liverpool before joining Scottish outfit Hearts on a permanent deal. Wilson, who progressed through the youth ranks of Rangers, returned to his boyhood club in the summer of 2015 and helped them earn a promotion with a strong defensive display.
But Wilson has often been criticised due to his error-prone and inconsistent performance and struggled to feature regularly last season in Rangers’ backline. Caixinha, the Portuguese tactician has recruited a number of defensive options ( including veteran Bruno Alves) so far during this window and it is high time for Danny Wilson to enhance his abilities and earn the trust of the gaffer at the heart of the Gers’ defence.
