Rangers Strike Deal to Sign “Exceptional” Talent as Martin Demands More

Glasgow Rangers have reportedly reached an agreement to bring a highly-rated player to Ibrox, in a major development shared by Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph.

Russell Martin Frustrated After Motherwell Draw

Rangers opened their Scottish Premiership campaign on a frustrating note, drawing 1-1 with Motherwell after conceding a late equalizer. Manager Russell Martin didn’t hold back in his post-match comments, criticizing his players’ mentality and calling for a shift in attitude.

“Some of them need to drop their ego. I’ll take responsibility for tactics, but today wasn’t about that — it was a mentality issue, and honestly, we got more than we deserved.
We need to figure out who’s fully committed and who isn’t. And no, playing in Europe isn’t an excuse. At this club, European football is expected. We’ll have midweek games often, and we need to handle them far better than we did today.”

With the transfer window still open, it seems Martin is aiming to strengthen the squad further — and now, one incoming move appears to be nearly finalized.

Oliver Antman Deal Agreed

According to Joseph on X (formerly Twitter), Rangers have agreed a £3 million deal in principle to sign Oliver Antman from Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles.

This potential signing comes at a crucial time, especially after Saturday’s performance exposed the need for more quality in the attacking third. Antman, a Finnish international, could be exactly what the squad needs.

Former Dutch international Ibrahim Afellay has praised Antman in the past, saying:

“He’s going to be a brilliant transfer — so intelligent, technically gifted, and sharp in his movements. A truly great player. If I were AZ Alkmaar, I’d sign him without hesitation.”

At just 23 years old, Antman still has plenty of room to grow, and his ability to play effectively on both wings makes him an ideal fit for Martin’s system. His stats also back up the hype — with 16 assists in 36 games last season and 7 goals in 22 appearances for Finland, he brings creativity and end-product.

If the deal is finalized, it could prove to be one of Rangers’ most exciting additions of the summer.

Opinion: Rangers player previously linked with an exit now appears likely to remain at the club after recent remarks.

Cyriel Dessers’ Future at Rangers Uncertain Amid Transfer Interest

Cyriel Dessers could see his position at Rangers impacted during the current transfer window, as AEK Athens have expressed interest in signing the Nigerian striker. However, negotiations have stalled, with the Greek side struggling to meet Rangers’ financial demands.

The 30-year-old forward has been the subject of consistent exit rumors in recent weeks, and this window presents Rangers with a chance to offload him for a fee. Although many fans have grown frustrated with his inconsistency and might not mind seeing him go, manager Russell Martin might have other ideas.

Dessers Impresses in Draw Against Motherwell

In Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Motherwell, Dessers was one of the few bright spots for the Gers. The team dropped points at Fir Park in their Scottish Premiership opener on August 2, a result that clearly disappointed Martin.

Following the match, the Rangers boss confirmed that the club had received a formal offer for Dessers — the only one so far — but hinted that he may resist selling the forward based on his efforts on the pitch.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Martin said:

“Dessers is the only one we’ve actually had a bid for, and he comes on and runs so hard. Some of the others need to look at him and take that as an example.
If players don’t want to buy into what it means to play for this club, they’ll be left behind.”

Dessers joined Rangers in 2023 from Cremonese for £4.5 million and went on to score 29 goals across all competitionslast season. Despite his ups and downs, he may still have an important role to play at Ibrox.

Changes Needed After Fir Park Slip-Up

Martin may need to reassess his attacking options moving forward. Danilo, who started the match against Motherwell, failed to impress and was eventually subbed off for Dessers, who made a stronger case for a starting role.

Elsewhere, Max Aarons showed signs of settling in at left-back, while Jack Butland and the defense couldn’t prevent Motherwell from finding the net despite solid individual efforts.

Kieran Dowell, meanwhile, delivered another underwhelming performance, though it appears Martin still has faith in him.

Although Rangers recently proved their mettle by defeating Panathinaikos in the Champions League qualifiers, their domestic inconsistency remains a concern — something Martin must address if the team hopes to contend for silverware this season.