If Philippe Clement is to be the new Rangers manager, there will be an underlying hope that he can bring with him, players who have worked well for him in the past.
A manager should never, as Michael Beale did, have free rein over a transfer policy but there should always be space for players that they know and trust.
For Philippe Clement, there could be a few options at Club Brugge and Monaco if Rangers are willing to back the new man in charge – should he be appointed.
Looking at two positions in particular, Rangers need more width and they need a proper defensive midfielder to replace John Lundstram and Ryan Jack.
Starting at the back, if Philippe Clement wants to solve a problem position, then Rangers could do a lot worse than the two enforcers he worked with at Brugge.
Eder Balanta is a Colombian international with nine caps to his name, signed by Clement in 2019, his contract is set to expire in the summer.
The 30-year old could be a like-for-like replacement for Lundstram and Jack.
The other option is Owen Otasowie who Philippe Clement signed from Wolves for around £3.2m, Rangers would have to pay a fee for the 22-year old though.
At 6ft 4inches tall and a USA international, Otasowie would represent a much needed physicality in the middle of midfield.
As for wingers, attentions would have to be turned to Monaco.
Gelson Martins has 21 Portugal caps and cost a reported £25.5m at his peak, however, he has yet to kick a ball this season and is out of contract in the summer.
I’m not sure fans could cope with another fixer upper though.
Krepin Diatta was signed by Philippe Clement from Brugge when he first left for Monaco but, again, he would cost Rangers a bob or two given his £14m fee in January 2021.
With 33 Senegal caps though, he could offer the solution to our long-term right-wing issue if Monaco are willing to sell the fringe player.
Philippe Clement will have time to assess his Rangers squad but it doesn’t take a serial trophy winner to know that there are positions that have been neglected by Michael Beale.
Fingers cross the board give him what he needs to fill the gaps.
