Inside Rangers' summer transfer window - but will it deliver success? — SkimNews
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- Rangers signed 14 players this summer under a restructured recruitment operation led by chairman Andrew Cavenagh alongside CEO Jim Gillespie, outgoing technical director Dan Purdy, 49ers figures Paraag Marathe and Gretar Steinsson, and performance director Stig Inge Bjornebye — a contrast to the previous summer when only 4 of 14 signings made under Russell Martin, Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell remain at Ibrox.
- Derek McInnes' first four games were winless and included a humiliating European exit to Jablonec, but Rangers then strung together six consecutive wins including back-to-back Old Firm victories over Celtic before the international break.
- Rangers explicitly rejected copying Celtic's possession-based style, instead targeting physicality, speed, leadership and a younger squad — with the XI that beat Celtic twice averaging under 24 years old compared to Celtic's roughly 27.
- Six summer signings — Ivor Pandur, Olwethu Makhanya, Dan Neil, James Penrice, Minsu Kim and Kevin Kelsy — formed a new-look spine in both Celtic wins, with Rangers dominating second balls at Ibrox and again at Parkhead where Celtic changed shape without finding answers.
- Rangers prioritized signing players who could grow in value, and that profile is reflected in international call-ups: 13 squad members were selected by their countries for the three-week window, 12 of whom are 26 or under.
- Rangers return from the break targeting the Scottish Premiership summit for the first time this season, with a Kilmarnock trip on October 10 before a League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen and a potential final against Hearts or Hibs.
Why it matters: Rangers overhauled both the personnel in the dressing room and the decision-making structure behind it after last summer's failed window — and the early payoff is concrete: six straight wins, two Old Firm victories, and a squad whose average age and international call-up list (12 of 13 aged 26 or under) materially shift the club's long-term resale and wage profile.
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