Midfield has been improved and it seems defence is next for Rangers
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It’s a fair assessment that Rangers’ substantial firepower in front of goal was the main reason for their 11-point cushion at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship this past season.
Four of their squad reached double figures for league goals, which was a feat matched by only 11 other players across the remainder of the Scottish second tier.
Defensively, Rangers were not so strong, especially in the final third of the campaign. In their last 11 fixtures in all competitions, Mark Warburton’s men shipped 21 goals.
Step one towards becoming more watertight has been to add some extra bite to the midfield, with Joey Barton, former Liverpool youngster Jordan Rossiter and Accrington’s Matt Crooks all not afraid to put their foot in.
And there has now been speculation that at least one new face may arrive to provide some competition for regular pairing Danny Wilson and Rob Kiernan at the heart of the defence.
Warburton has dealt solely in free transfers so far this summer and Steven Taylor is now set to leave Newcastle after 21 years with the club.
Taylor has racked up the best part of 200 Premier League appearances with the St James’ Park outfit and should still have plenty to offer at the age of 30.
He could also bring some additional leadership and organisation to the backline while, if Warburton decides that he needs a more aggressive option, then links with Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Eitan Tibi look promising.
The 28-year-old is not afraid to make a tackle, possesses a change of pace, is solid in the air, physical, consistent and a competent passer with both feet. He would appear a logical fit in with Warburton’s patient build-up style too.
Rangers are 3/1 to win the Scottish Premiership in the upcoming season and becoming tougher to break down looks a necessary improvement towards making this aspiration a reality.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
