Rangers might need to keep the chequebook tight this summer due to PSR rules but there’s a few bargain options within the SPFL
It has emerged that a Rangers takeover this summer might not spark the kind of spending splurge Ibrox fans are dreaming about.
The club is the subject of a bid from 49ers Enterprises and Andrew Cavenagh that should see the American tycoon at the helm for the start of next season.
But profit and sustainability rules could prevent the US consortium from splashing the cash on new players, as they bid to challenge Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Even without restrictions, it’s unlikely that Cavenagh and Co would provide a major transfer kitty in their first term anyway.
Of course, they’ll have to appoint a top-level, elite coach to compete with Brendan Rodgers across the city.
And the Rangers squad will have to be freshened up, and improved, after a disastrous campaign with no trophies.
But without bundles of cash, the new owners will have to be clever and prudent with their recruitment.
That’s what the likes of new sporting director Kevin Thelwell – and 49ers Enterprises representative Gretar Steinsson – will look to achieve.
It’s clear that Rangers’ strategy and player trading model will be about buying cheap – and finding gems – before selling them on for a profit.
They will no doubt scour every available market for the right players.
But many supporters believe there are quality players closer to home who could be snapped up without breaking the bank.
Here, Record Sport looks at 5 potential new signings from the SPFL who could improve the new manager’s squad:
Nectarios Triantis (Hibs)
The on-loan Sunderland midfielder has been a revelation for the Hibees this season and a contender for their Player of the Year.
Initially signed as a centre-back, the Australian youngster was moved into a sitter role and has excelled.
At 21 years old, he now has a year of SPFL experience under his belt at Easter Road.
He’s 6ft 3ins, is a powerful runner and has the physicality to be useful in both boxes.
Triantis’ future remains uncertain, with Sunderland set to recall him this summer.
If the Black Cats are promoted to the Premier League via the play-offs, it’s likely he’ll be sent out on loan again – and there’s no doubt Hibs will be at the front of the queue.
But if that happens, his parent club might want him to take a step up, which a move to Ibrox would certainly represent.
If Sunderland don’t go up, he might end up back at the Stadium of Light, where he’s contracted until 2027.
Either way, he’s someone who might fit the profile of a player Rangers are looking for, with potential sell-on value in the future.
Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)
A move for Hearts’ captain has constantly been talked about among Rangers fans and there’s an argument to say they should have pushed the boat out to get him last January.
If they had, Philippe Clement would have given him and his team a better chance of winning the title while they were ahead of Celtic.
Instead, Fabio Silva arrived on loan and Gers capitulated in the run-in.
The interest in Shankland seemed to wane this season as his form took a hefty dip.
But last weekend up at Ross County – when he was moved back into a centre-forward role – he looked back to his best.
His two trade-mark finishes got Hearts a victory and steered them clear of the relegation zone.
The 29-year-old will be out of contract in the summer and would be keen on a move to Ibrox.
He’s a proven goalscorer at SPFL level and still has plenty to offer in this league.
With the likes of Danilo potentially moving on from Rangers, taking Shankland on a free might be a no-brainer for any new gaffer.
Richard Taylor (St Mirren)
This one might be a bit left-field for Rangers fans but St Mirren’s man-mountain of a centre-back might be worth looking at.
Taylor came through the ranks at Burnley where he was highly-rated before a move to Southend didn’t work out and he found himself in non-league football.
Eventually, he moved to Irish outfit Waterford where he was soon snapped up by Buddies boss Stephen Robinson.
This season, Taylor has really come into his own as a left-sided defender – and has been a pivotal player in their charge into the Premiership’s top six again.
He’s played 38 games in all competitions and at just 24 years old, still has growth and development in his game.
Certainly, he’s shown he has the physical attributes to deal with the SPFL.
But as well as being big and strong, Taylor can also play out from the back with his left foot.
He might not be an obvious signing target for a club the size of Rangers and, of course, they’d be taking a punt.
But previously, bringing defenders like Kirk Broadfoot and Marvin Andrews from provincial Scottish clubs has yielded success.
Josh Mulligan (Dundee)
This is a move that has already been mooted with Rangers registering an interest in the Scotland Under-21 midfielder.
Mulligan could join his Dens Park team-mate, Lyall Cameron, at Ibrox in the summer who has already agreed a pre-contract deal.
But the 22-year-old is a completely different player to his Dark Blues sidekick.
His versatility is one of his biggest strengths. He’s got the engine required to play at full-back and bomb up and down the pitch.
But he can also be a box-to-box player in the middle of the park where Tony Docherty has been using him recently.
Mulligan is still young but he already has over 150 SPFL appearances to his name and is regularly a stand-out for Dundee.
Ask anyone who saw him as a kid at Peterhead and they’ll tell you he was always destined to play at the top level.
Mulligan might not walk straight into a Rangers first team next term, especially if there’s investment and a major recruitment drive.
But he could prove to be a terrific squad player and someone who knows the league already.
At times this season, Gers have struggled to grind out results but a homegrown talent like Mulligan could help with that.
He’s got the mentality and mindset to cope with a move to Glasgow – and he’d have a pal in Cameron to make it easier.
James Penrice (Hearts)
Rangers might need to look for another left-back this summer if injury-prone Turk Ridvan Yilmaz is moved on.
And right now there are few better than Penrice at Tynecastle.
It was no surprise that he was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year last week – the only Jambo on the list.
That’s a sign of how highly rated he is amongst his fellow pros and it feels like Penrice is only going to get better.
At Livingston and Partick Thistle, there was a feeling that he might be too light-weight to play at full-back.
But he’s got bigger and stronger this season and taken his game up a level.
His technique has always been excellent but with more power, he’s been a key player for Hearts this term.
He’s comfortable at full-back and wing-back but his main strength is getting forward into dangerous areas, linking up with attackers and teeing up chances.
Penrice has four assists this season which isn’t bad for a non-Old Firm defender.
The 26-year-old has already been linked with a move to Celtic and potential Scotland call-up.
And of course, Hearts’ new manager will no doubt want to keep him in Gorgie.
With two years left on his contract, Rangers would have to pay a reasonable fee for Penrice but his form this season suggests he’d be worth it.
