Caixinha will regret deal for 21-year-old: Rangers summer signings rated
By James Black
It's been a difficult start for Pedro Caixinha as Rangers manager.
Finishing third in the Scottish Premiership last season, before the Europa League first qualifying round elimination to Progrés Niederkorn of Luxembourg this summer, has only burned through some of the goodwill Caixinha was extended by the Rangers support.
However, the former Santos Laguna manager has just had his first transfer window in charge of The Gers and is now working with his own players so can have no excuses if performances do not meet supporters' expectations.
The Light Blues' board have backed Caixinha financially to overhaul the squad he inherited from his predecessor Mark Warburton after his departure in February.
Eleven new signings, with a similar number heading for the Ibrox exit door, will see a new-look Rangers try to wrestle the Scottish Premiership title from Brendan Rodgers' Invincibles, but has Caixinha added quality or just swapped like-for-like?
Declan John was the only deadline day signing - as exclusively revealed by Football Insider - as Caixinha failed to bring Jamie Walker from Hearts to Ibrox at the last minute.
Here, Football Insider rates the 11 players signed by Rangers this summer, including a 21-year-old who can sweep all before him in the Scottish Premiership and two midfielders who look miles off the pace.
Click '2' below to see the international defender who can spearhead Rangers' title challenge this season
1. Bruno Alves
Signed on a free from Serie A side Cagliari, 93-times capped Portugal defender Bruno Alves is the most recognisable name to arrive at Ibrox over the summer.
The 35-year-old missed the Europa League knockout as he was in Russia at the FIFA Confederations Cup.
A solid defender who is head and shoulders above his team-mates, Alves will be absolutely crucial for Rangers this season.
Pedro Caixinha's side already look more composed when Alves is on the pitch and Alves' vast experience will help Danny Wilson and fellow new signing Fabio Cardoso improve
Football Insider rating: 7/10
Click '3' below to see the midfielder who is key to Rangers' title hopes
2. Ryan Jack
Ryan Jack has been linked with a move to Ibrox on several occasions and, finally, joined the Gers after his Aberdeen contract expired over the summer.
The 25-year-old central midfielder has immediately became an integral part of Pedro Caixinha's side after an impressive start to his Rangers' career.
Rarely wasting a pass, Jack is the type of player Rangers have lacked in recent years and as his understanding with Graham Dorrans in the middle of the park improves, the former Aberdeen captain could prove to be Caixinha's best signing of the transfer window.
Football Insider rating: 8/10
Click '4' below to see the Mexican midfielder fans have high expectations of
3. Carlos Pena
Mexican international Carlos Pena has only made a handful of appearances so far for Rangers after his £2.2million move from Chivas Guadalajara.
The midfielder has taken time to get used to his new surroundings and get match fit and has yet to start a game for his new side.
A handful of substitute appearances have given fans a glimpse of what he is capable of and, once fit, will give Caixinha a decision to make over his tactics.
Pena's price-tag means there will be high expectations but so far the midfielder has yet to make an impression.
Football Insider rating: 4/10
Click '5' below to see the loanee who could be Rangers' solution at left wing
4. Dalcio
21-year-old midfielder Dalcio signed a season-long loan deal from Benfica and made his debut in the first leg of the Europa League game.
He struggled throughout both games against the Luxembourgers and has barely been seen since.
Rangers have continued to look to strengthen the left-hand side and Dalcio may get a reprieve before too long but, so far, it looks like Caixinha might start regretting this deal soon.
Football Insider rating: 3/10
Click '6' below to see the international defender looking to earn a new contract
5. Declan John
A deadline day loan signing, John will likely push captain Lee Wallace for a starting place at left back.
The Welsh international defender has fallen out of favour at Cardiff City and could make his Ibrox move permanent in the summer once his Bluebirds contract expires.
John can also play further forward and could even slot in as Rangers' left winger after Caixinha failed to sign Jamie Walker.
At only 22, John can still improve and with Premier League experience under his belt he could prove to be an important signing.
Football Insider rating: 7/10
Click '7' below to see the Mexican striker Rangers hope will fire them to the title
6. Eduardo Herrera
'Lalo' Herrera scored his first goal for Rangers in last weekend's win over Ross County and is slowly finding his feet at Ibrox.
The 29-year-old forward has struggled since moving from Mexico but has shown enough for Rangers fans to have some faith in the big striker.
A big, strong physical presence; Herrera and Alfredo Morelos will likely make up Rangers' frontline soon.
A run of games will be important to getting the nine-times capped forward in top form.
Football Insider rating: 6/10
Click '8' below to see the Portuguese defender fans can't stop singing about
7. Fabio Cardoso
23-year-old Fabio Cardoso has slowly settled in to life at Ibrox although fans already have a song about him.
Thrown-in beside David Bates in the Europa League qualifiers, Cardoso has started to find form alongside Bruno Alves at the heart of Rangers' defence.
If the former Setubal defender can cut out the mistakes then he could be a quality signing by Caixinha.
Another who should improve as he continues to play regularly.
Football Insider rating: 6/10
Click '9' below to see the midfielder who fulfilled a boyhood dream signing for Rangers
8. Graham Dorrans
Boyhood Rangers fan Graham Dorrans fulfilled a lifelong dream when he signed for the Gers this summer.
Dorrans' move from Norwich was widely applauded and the Scottish international has started off well at Ibrox.
An opening-day double against Motherwell has been the high-point so far but Dorrans will be a key player for Caixinha's side this season.
Already building a good understanding with Ryan Jack, Dorrans is a real step up in quality from the squad Caicinha inherited in March.
Football Insider rating: 7/10
Click '10' below to see the Man City winger who made a late move north
9. Aaron Nemane
Signed on a six-month loan, Nemane is likely to be involved with Graeme Murty's Development Squad as they travel across Europe as part of the new 'Academy Games' project.
A key player in Manchester City's youth sides, Nemane is a speedy winger who could terrorise full-backs if given a chance in the first team.
New Director of Football Mark Allen has worked with the player at City so will have a good idea what he can bring to Caxinha's squad.
Football Insider rating: 6/10
Click '11' below to see the 29-year-old winger who Rangers will need to keep in top form
10. Daniel Candeias
Another player Pedro Caixinha knows from his previous clubs, Daniel Candeias has made a good start to his Rangers career.
The right-winger has formed a decent understanding with James Tavernier and is quickly becoming an important part of Caixinha's plans.
Hard-working and with tricky feet, the 29-year-old's form will be vital in creating a regular supply for the likes of Herrera and Morelos.
Former Benfica man Candeias scored a fantastic free kick against Dunfermline in the Betfred Cup and, along with Bruno Alves and Tavernier, will offer a threat at set-pieces.
Football Insider rating: 7/10
Click '12' below to see the South American goal-machine Rangers will want to keep scoring
11. Alfredo Morelos
'El Bufalo' instantly got himself amongst the goals at Ibrox with five goals in five starts since his move from HJK Helsinki; where he scored 39 times in 53 appearances.
The former Colombian under-20 international has been a big hit with fans and could be an absolute gem for Rangers.
Of all Caixinha's signings Morelos has been the biggest success so far and at only 21, Morelos can still get better.
Football Insider rating: 8/10
In other Rangers news, Barry Ferguson has given his verdict on the Gers' summer signings.
We’ve launched a << BREAKING NEWS FEED>> exclusively for your club. ‘Like Us’ on Facebook by clicking here if you want 24/7 updates on all Rangers breaking news.