Kris Boyd insists Rangers need to sign automatic starters to strengthen the first XI, with a winger and a right back top of the list.
Chairman Andrew Cavenagh revealed the Ibrox legions can expect to see Derek McInnes bring in up to five new faces before the transfer window closes. But Light Blues strike legend Boyd insists the squad is bloated and that quality to go straight in to the starting line up is what is really needed.
Creativity and right back gaps
Boyd, speaking to LiveFootballTickets, believes creativity at the top end of the park is essential and Couhaib Driouech can help with that with the PSV Eindhoven winger set to be announced in a £7million deal. Right back is another area Boyd pinpoints following the departure of legendary captain James Tavernier.
He said: “There are still gaps in Rangers’ squad that need filling. The chairman, Andrew Cavenagh, came out and said they’re looking at between three and five signings. For me, it has to be three or five signings that go into the starting lineup.
“Rangers have a bloated squad, you see that with the amount of players that have been left out on a match day. To strengthen, it needs to be starting 11 players. There is no doubt that the wide area is a problem for Rangers.
“The creativity at the top end of the pitch is something that Rangers are severely lacking in right now, and I also think they need a right back.
“James Tavernier has moved on, Dujon Sterling is a good player, but he can't play every single game with his injury history, so Ross McCrorie came in. It may take time for these guys to settle, but for me, I think Rangers need to find a right back. They've been linked to Kosta Nedeljkovic from Aston Villa, so there is no doubt they're in the market for a right back, and there is no doubt that Rangers need creativity at the top end of the pitch.
“Recruitment is very difficult, especially when you're a team that is not winning. You look at Celtic, they have got away with a few bad signings in recent times because they have been winning. I think when you're the big team in Glasgow that hasn't won, and everything is scrutinised, it's the nature of the beast. You're just going to have to deal with it. Could Rangers' recruitment have been better? 100%. But I think there are some good players there that once they gel, Rangers should be okay. But it's how long is it going to take for them to gel?”
Chermiti injury blow
Rangers’ transfer plans have also been altered by the devastating injury blow to Youssef Chermiti, after it emerged the striker has suffered an ACL injury against Hibs on Sunday.
Boyd said: “Chermiti is a key player for Rangers who I think is fantastic, and they could struggle without him. When Youssef Chermiti came off at the weekend, he was in real pain. Anybody that's involved in football would wish him a speedy recovery from the injury that he picked up at the weekend.
“First and foremost, yes, Rangers have got a talented player there, but health is the most important thing, and we wish him all the best in recovery.”
Pressure to turn results around
Derek McInnes has gone three games without a win to start his reign as Ibrox boss and Boyd admitted: “Rangers are going to need turn things around quickly if they want to be in contention for the title this season.
“At Rangers, you are under pressure to get results every single week, so they're going to have to find a way. It's not going to be easy. Celtic have obviously had a good start, with their main striker scoring goals.
“But from Rangers’ point of view, they've got to look after themselves. They've got a huge European game on Thursday, take care of that and see where it takes you. But domestically in the league, they're going to have to find a way to start winning games of football.”
