5 surging Rangers transfer headlines on Gelhardt, Dessers, Yilmaz and Tavernier as Rabbi Matondo offer 'considered'
It has been a tough season so far for Philippe Clement - but things could go from bad to worse with Celtic next on the agenda for the Rangers boss.
A defeat on home turf to open the New Year would leave the Light Blues trailing Brendan Rodgers' side by a whopping 17 points - with pressure already skyrocketing on the Belgian after dismal displays in the defeat to St Mirren and Motherwell going into the top of the Premiership clash. But whether there is change in the dugout there is still plenty of work to be done in shaking up the squad with a big January facing technical director Nils Koppen.
It has been a mixed bag for Koppen's recruitment in recent windows with hits like Hamza Igamane being outweighed by struggling stars like Robin Propper and Oscar Cortes. But he knows he has to get it right this time with a number of players needed to boost Rangers title hopes - and offloaded to balance the books.
Record Sport runs the rule on the latest on the struggling Light Blues and the players linked both in and out.
James Tavernier
The rumour mill has touted him with a Saudi Pro League reunion with Steven Gerrard and a switch to Turkey in recent windows - but the Rangers' skipper remains at Ibrox. He has struggled to find top form this season - but former Celtic boss Neil Lennon has warned the club against cashing in next month.
Speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Old Firm odds, Lennon said: "Maybe the way Rangers have been playing hasn’t helped James Tavernier compared to last year, but it’s hard to imagine a Rangers team without him. His goal record at the club for a full-back is just incredible and he still has a huge contribution to make there.
"It’s too early to write off James Tavernier, he has been written off before and came back. Not every season is going to be the same in terms of goals."
Cyriel Dessers
Saint-Etienne have been linked with a move for struggling forward Cyriel Dessers. The Rangers No. 9 has lost his place as Clement's go-to frontman in recent weeks with Igamane's recent form. Etienne boss Eirik Horneland distanced the club from a January recruitment drive - but reports in France suggest the struggling side are still looking to loan a striker. Le Republic Sportif reported that the club are "considering temporary cover" including Dessers and Ajax's Chuba Akpom.
Ridvan Yilmaz
Trabzonspor are reportedly keen on Ridvan Yilmaz. Boss Senol Gunes is an admirer having worked with the 23-year-old worked with Yilmaz during his time at Besiktas and gave him his debut for the national side. Turkish outlet Hurhaber claim that a £4.1million bid is being considered for the left-back.
Joe Gelhardt
Rangers are reportedly among the clubs who have shown an interest in taking Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt on loan in January. Leeds Live credit the Premiership giants and League One side Wrexham as admirers. And former Elland Road midfielder Carlton Palmer has urged the club to let the 22-year-old leave - after he has failed to make an appearance since October.
He told Football League World: “Daniel Farke might also sit down with the player and try to convince him to stay until the end of the season, and that his opportunities and time will come. He’s had very limited game-time under Farke, so I think the fairest thing would be to let Gelhardt go out on loan."
Rabbi Matondo
The Welsh winger has struggled with injury throughout the campaign, and following his return to the team in the draw with Motherwell speculation has ramped up over his future. German outlet WAZ state that former club Schalke are "considering" an approach to Rangers to take the 24-year-old on loan to the 2. Bundesliga as they look for "winter hits" to climb the table.
