Rangers transfer update as priority for January window revealed

Rangers will prioritise targetting a centre-back in the January transfer window following injuries to John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo.

The Rangers Review understands that a central defender was on the agenda prior to Souttar’s injury last week but news the Scotland defender will miss weeks has exacerbated the need for cover in the heart of defence.

Souttar was injured during the 1-1 draw with Spurs last Thursday (Image: Craig Foy - SNS Group)

Souttar, 28, pulled up midway through the first-half during a 1-1 draw with Spurs in last week’s Europa League meeting. Speaking before Sunday’s defeat in the Premier Sports Cup Final, Philippe Clement confirmed that centre-back would be missing for a number of weeks.

“No, John Souttar will be injured for several weeks. He’s not in the squad,” the Rangers manager said.

Clement has already lost Kasanwirjo in the same position after he was injured on international duty for the Netherlands Under-21 side. The versatile defender, on loan from Feyenoord, has returned to the Netherlands to complete his rehab and isn’t expected to play again for the Ibrox side this season.

“Nana’s operation was good, but he will be at least out for four to six months. So we cannot count on him, so we will see at the end of the season how things go,” Clement said following a recent 1-0 win over St Johnstone.

“We have the agreement with Feyenoord that he will do his rehab there, but I stay in touch with Nana, who was really disappointed not to continue the work he’s been doing, because he loves the club, he loves the dressing room, even loves the staff – that doesn’t happen so much. So we will see at the end of the season how it will be with him, but we cannot count on him in the next couple of months.”

The Rangers Review understands that Rangers will look to bolster the centre of defence in the January window with a loan deal possible.

Robin Propper and Leon Balogun are currently Clement’s only first-choice options. Dujon Sterling played 60 minutes at centre-back in Sunday’s defeat against Celtic but is a right-back by trade.

Clinton Nsiala, who joined from AC Milan in the summer window, is yet to make a first-team appearance while Leon King has started just twice at centre-back under Clement.

The 20-year-old signed a long-term deal with his boyhood club in 2022 but is yet to cement a place in the Rangers first-team. King was on the bench at Hampden in Sunday’s final.