Rangers expert identifies transfer ‘problem’ after John Bennett quotes emerge
Alan Hutton has claimed Rangers have failed to replace Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo in the transfer market.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Gers and Scotland defender said the duo’s exit has left a “problem” at Ibrox.
Bassey and Aribo left Rangers to join Ajax and Southampton respectively in the summer.
The Light Blues made seven signings in the summer transfer window.
Ben Davies, Ridvan Yilmaz, Rabbi Matondo, Antonio Colak, Tom Lawrence and John Souttar arrived on permanent deals, while Mailk Tillman joined on loan.
Speaking to club media (20 September), vice-chairman John Bennett defended the club’s transfer strategy and urged fans to give the summer signings more time.
When asked by Football Insider if the club had adequately replace Bassey and Aribo, Hutton said: “There’s no doubt about it, those two were head and shoulders above a lot of the players last season.
“It is no slight on the rest. They were just playing at a top level.
“When you lose players like that for big money you will miss them. Personally, I do not think they have replaced them.
“Tillman has done well but it is going to take him time to adjust.
“The biggest problem for me is the left side of the defence. Calvin Bassey could play at left centre-half or at left-back. He was absolutely rock solid in both positions. That has been a problem.
“[James] Sands has done a decent job but he can be rash at times.
“I do not feel that they have sorted that area of the pitch out. They have spent money on it but it is still a problem.”
In other news, an expert has claimed Jon McLaughlin is set for an extended spell on the sidelines as new details emerge at Rangers.