Football Season Guide

Rangers finished last season in miserable form, finishing second in the Premiership and losing out in the Scottish Cup final to Celtic, yet things have only gotten worse for the Ibrox side over the course of the summer. Manager Philippe Clement has not been given the resources to make the signings he would like, an experienced group of players are set to depart on the eve of the season while the club’s stadium has been branded unfit for purpose due to structural issues and the Gers will have to play the first part of the campaign at Hampden Park. This move means the Gers will not have as intimidating a home as Ibrox to back them, while it will also cost them precious money in rent and repairs. First-team regular John Lundstram has left for Turkey along with Borna Barisic, while other more peripheral squad members have also departed. Crucially, though, it appears that club captain James Tavernier, who has been so potent an attacking threat in recent seasons from right-back, lynchpin defender Conor Goldson and creative midfielder Todd Cantwell are all set to leave. This is a difficult group to replace. Moroccan striker Hamza Igamane has arrived to support the forward line, with the 21-year-old boasting 16 goals in 58 career appearances for Rabat – not the type of record that screams that he will be a hit. Vaclav Cerny is a more experienced pickup on the wing from Wolfsburg, yet he will struggle to match the impression that loanee Abdallah Sima had last season. Similarly, much is expected of free agent Connor Barron in midfield – a difficult ask after barely playing at Aberdeen last term. The defence, meanwhile, is boosted by the arrival of Jefte from Fluminense and Clinton Nsiala from Milan’s youth team. Liam Kelly arrives to provide competition for Jack Butland in goal. Rangers continue to struggle after last season’s failed transfer window, with too many players that do not look strong enough for the level they want to achieve.