Rangers will only be able to afford a January transfer for Lawrence Shankland if they preserve faith with Philippe Clement this season.
The Gers will be short on funds if they opt to pursue the soon-to-be out-of-contract Shankland from Hearts in January [Stephen McGinn, 12 November].
Clement is under pressure to get more out of his team, particularly in the last third, yet sacking him would cost the Light Blues almost £2 million in compensation costs [David Edgar, 31 October].
As a result, removing Clement before the January transfer window starts would eliminate the club’s option to sign Shankland, who would presumably cost approximately the same amount, leaving the Ibrox management with a decision to make.
Rangers must focus rebuilding over reset in January.
If their decision is between firing Clement and upgrading the squad in January, all indications go to the current Ibrox boardroom sticking by the manager and pursuing new objectives.
Multiple managers have been connected to the potentially empty job in the dugout, with Steven Gerrard’s return being suggested following criticism in Saudi Arabia.
Another name suggested as a replacement for the Belgian is Kilmarnock manager McInnes, who may have received a boost in his bid to become Rangers manager.
Sir Alex Ferguson gives Derek McInnes a boost for Rangers
This isn’t the first time the 53-year-old has been linked with the Light Blues’ management position; he turned down the opportunity to succeed Pedro Caixinha in 2017 [Scottish Sun].
Before Clement was offered the position, the former Aberdeen manager was a contender to succeed Michael Beale, who was fired.
Despite not being chosen, Ferguson was eager to provide a reference to help him become manager at Ibrox [The Times].
This did not result in McInnes securing the post at the time, but with the ex-Manchester United manager recently purchasing a Glasgow property, the Killie man may benefit.
The 82-year-old bought a flat in the city’s west end to spend more time with his brother Martin while also being closer to his “other team” at Ibrox [Alan Nixon].
Ferguson’s proximity to the Light Blues and McInnes’ interest in the managerial position suggest that the famous manager’s influence may play a factor in the coming weeks and months.
Defender who departed Rangers for £800,000 in 2018 challenged to secure an Ibrox return this season.
Rangers supporters will recall Welsh international left-back Declan John from his brief stay at Ibrox in 2017/18.
The former Cardiff City left-back joined Rangers on loan from the Welsh club and was so successful that the club made the signing permanent six months later.
Only a few months after Declan John signed a permanent agreement with Rangers, the arrival of Steven Gerrard to the club’s management marked the beginning of the end for the defender.
But John could be returning to Ibrox this season after signing a short-term contract with one of Rangers’ Scottish Premiership rivals.
Declan John signed with St Mirren.
Declan John has signed a short-term contract with St Mirren until January, following the controversial dismissal of defender Jaden Brown.
The 29-year-old left-back joins St Mirren after being released by Bolton Wanderers in the summer following a loan spell with Salford City.
It is now up to the former Rangers defender to secure a longer-term contract in Paisley, with Saints manager Steven Robinson pressing John to make an impact.
“Declan is here on a short-term contract with the option to extend depending on how things go,” Robinson informed the official St Mirren website.
“Due to the conditions, we are severely lacking in defensive cover. Declan comes in with a wealth of experience.
“He’s played at some of the highest levels and has previously played in Scotland, so we’re quite fortunate to have him.
“We’ve witnessed his abilities in his first few days of training. He’s a talented child with excellent technical skills, but he hasn’t played much football in recent months, so we need to look into that and attempt to get him up to speed.
“To add to the squad with the quality and background Declan has, I believe we are very lucky at this stage of the season.”
Rangers are scheduled to travel to St Mirren on Scottish Premiership duty on December 26th, with St Mirren returning to Rangers on February 22nd.
It means John will have to sign a longer-term contract with St Mirren if he wants to return to Rangers next season.
Ex-Gers star is ‘delighted’ to be back in Scotland
Declan John returns to Scotland for the first time since leaving Rangers in the summer of 2018 to join Swansea City for £800,000.
However, the defender’s situation south of the border has not been favorable.
John was loaned out to Sunderland and then Bolton while at Swansea, before joining the Trotters permanently in 2021.
Declan John, who has returned to Scotland with St Mirren, is determined to make a difference for the Saints and says he is ‘extremely happy’ to be in Paisley.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be here,” John exclaimed. “It has been a hectic few days.
“I came up on Thursday, exercised on Friday, then went to witness the game on Saturday, which was a huge victory for the boys. I’ve enjoyed it and am looking forward to getting back into training.
“Everything has been so happy once we walked in, and you can feel it in the changing room. It feels like a pretty nice place to be.
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