Rangers Criticized for Lack of Control as Bosman Opportunity Emerges
Nils Koppen Faces a Crucial Summer Rebuild at Rangers
Rangers currently lack squad depth, with some players simply not good enough, while others, despite their talent, have struggled to adapt to the demands of the SPFL.
A key example of this is Nedim Bajrami, who has shown promise in European competition and performed well against Celtic.
However, his failure to even make it off the bench against Dundee speaks volumes about his standing in the squad.
Midfield is one of three major areas of concern for Rangers manager Barry Ferguson.
His options are limited, with Bailey Rice the only backup to Nicolas Raskin, Connor Barron, and Mohamed Diomande.
The issue is not just a lack of quality but also the absence of a specific type of player that Rangers have long needed.
Despite this, Koppen opted against addressing the problem last summer.
Key Issue in Rangers’ Midfield
Speaking on Clyde Superscoreboard on Monday, March 31, Roger Hannah identified a critical problem that could be solved with the right signing:
“I couldn’t tell you the last time Rangers controlled a game, at home or away, under Barry Ferguson or Philippe Clement.
“They don’t seem to have the players capable of doing that.
In the past, you might have seen Rangers go two goals up at Ibrox, then dictate the game’s tempo, limiting the opposition’s chances. I can’t remember the last time that happened.
“They don’t seem to have the players capable of closing out a game when they’re ahead or establishing an early foothold to build momentum and score.
“When they fight back, as they did against Dundee on Saturday, it’s chaotic—everyone charges forward, but there’s no control in any phase of their play.”
Potential Midfield Solution for Rangers
John Lundstram has tried to adapt his game from a traditional box-to-box role, but has struggled.
Meanwhile, Raskin is still developing as a tempo-setting midfielder, despite his standout performances for Belgium.
Against Dundee, Raskin played in a slightly more advanced role when Rice replaced Barron, which proved effective.
It was Raskin’s outside-of-the-foot pass that set up Tom Lawrence’s equalizer for Rangers.
Raskin excels when playing on the front foot, driving forward at every opportunity.
This makes him better suited to playing as a six in a double pivot rather than operating alone in a holding role.
The Ideal Signing: Dejan Ljubicic
At 6ft 2in, Austrian midfielder Dejan Ljubicic possesses the physicality required for Scottish football. After four years in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, he also brings valuable technical ability.
During his time in Germany’s top tier, Ljubicic primarily played as a defensive midfielder, occasionally dropping into defense—a quality that could be beneficial in European competitions when a manager wants to adjust tactics without making substitutions.
This season, however, he has been deployed in a more advanced role for Koln, where he has contributed eight goal involvements in 25 appearances.
A midfield trio of Ljubicic, Raskin, and Diomande would provide the perfect balance.
It would allow Raskin and Diomande to play to their strengths, with Ljubicic acting as the deep-lying playmaker—something Rangers have lacked since Steven Gerrard’s tenure.
A Cost-Effective Solution
If Rangers seek greater control in midfield, Ljubicic is an obvious choice.
The best part? His contract with Koln expires in the summer, meaning he would be available on a free transfer.
Rangers need a player capable of dictating the tempo, closing out games, and providing structure in midfield.
Ljubicic fits that profile perfectly, offering both defensive solidity and creative influence.
If the club is serious about improving its midfield, securing Ljubicic on a free transfer should be a priority.
His arrival would not only enhance the squad’s balance but also address the longstanding issue of game control, allowing Rangers to dominate matches in a way they haven’t managed for some time.
