Of the eleven players who started in Rangers’ 3-0 defeat by Celtic in September, only five were selected on Philippe Clement’s team sheet for Thursday’s Old Firm re-match four months on.
And while a couple of those absences were subject to reasons beyond Philippe Clement’s control – Jack Butland, John Souttar and James Tavernier were all unavailable – a handful of other alternations indicate just how much has changed at Ibrox in recent times.
Nedim Bajrami had only been with the Rangers for a few hours when the team traveled to the city’s green side. Nico Raskin and Hamza Igamane Danilo both failed to make it off the bench, while Ianis Hagi was left out entirely due to a contract dispute that appeared to be leading to his departure.
Four months later, Raskin was the ‘exceptional’ performer when Rangers defeated Celtic 3-0. Danilo marked a cameo display with a goal. And Igamane tormented the Hoops’ backline, a performance that is quickly becoming his trademark.
This time, Cyriel Dessers was watching from the sidelines.
Rangers’ first-choice centre-forward has gone from third-choice in the blink of an eye, and the £4.5 million signing from Cremonese exemplifies the sweeping alterations Clement has made to his starting lineup in recent years.
Cyriel Dessers might allegedly leave Rangers for France before the January transfer window closes.
In the meanwhile, Iqraam Rayners may take his place.
Rangers face Belgian struggle for South African striker Iqraam Rayners.
According to sources from his own country, the late-blooming South African international has emerged as a top target for the winter market. Rangers are also reportedly bidding roughly £2.4 million for Rayners, though such claims have yet to be confirmed in the UK.
Rangers were happy to meet South African league champions Mamelodi Sundowns’ 55 million rand asking price, according to Soccer Laduma in December.
According to the article, the Sundowns may yet choose to reject such an offer. Keeping Rayners, who has 13 goals in 18 games this season, might mean the difference between another league title and a near miss.
This week, more light was revealed on Rayners’ condition.
According to SNL 24, ‘interest in Rayners is growing every day’. Rangers are currently reportedly in talks with Belgian club Sportkring Beveren, but the Flemish side has yet to match Ibrox’s £2.4 million offer.
It seems especially improbable that they will be able to do so, given that Beveren is far from the richest team in the land. They spent less than £800,000 on new players over the last four years and did not make any additions in the summer of 2024.
“[Beveren’s] scouts are based all over the world, and they monitor players they are interested in,” according to a source familiar with the matter. “Now they’ve asked about Rayners.
“That [£2.4 million asking price] was not only intended for Rangers.” “It’s for any team interested in him,” says another insider familiar with the matter. “So, if the Belgian club is interested in Rayners, they must meet or better that fee.
“The interest and the inquiry is there.”
Potential Cyriel Dessers replacement made history in 2024
Rayners, at 29, is only one year younger than Dessers. However, he may seek fewer salaries than the former Eredivisie Golden Boot winner and be more ready to play a supporting role behind Danilo and Igamane.
Iqraam Rayners created South African football history by becoming only the second player to score five goals in a single game last season.
“Iqraam’s on a great run of form,” his then-Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker told IOL after Rayners easily defeated Kuala Lumpur FC 5-0. “He is a fantastic footballer and an excellent finisher, as you could see.
“What can one say?” There were five special goals. Every goal was the result of a well-planned, well-struck, or composed shot, followed by a high-quality finish.
“He showed his qualities again as a goalscorer.”
