“We definitely feel some of those players have made a fantastic return for us and others haven’t made a strong enough return yet,” said Ross Wilson in response to criticism of his recruitment in the most heated part of Rangers’ AGM on Tuesday.
For many Rangers fans, the latter part of the Ibrox sporting director’s statement is an understatement. One shareholder was roundly applauded as he spoke passionately about an area he felt Wilson had come up short.
“When you look at the players signed during your tenure we’ve had very few successes and a lot of failures. You could maybe pass Ianis Hagi, Kemar Roofe, Jermain Defoe and Calvin Bassey as successes but when you look at the failures under your watch and going by the reports it’s been quite expense. We spent £2 million on Juninho Bacuna, Aaron Ramsey was reported to be anything from £700,000 to £3 million. Zukowski was signed for £500k and played one game. Amad Diallo came up from Man United - failure. We’ve now signed Rabbi Matondo for £3 million and he hasn’t hit the ground. Did you action the signing of a centre half from Hearts when he’s missed 44 games at Hearts over the last two seasons?”
It was stinging criticism but he said what many fellow fans believe over an area of the club which has caused them concern during recent transfer windows. Stewart Robertson defended Wilson - who said in response that "Ross Wilson doesn’t sign football players here” - and pointed to other areas of the club that come under his remit.
But in the eyes of many fans he will be judged purely on signings. Wilson corrected the shareholder on his valuation of Bacuna, pointing out he was in fact a free agent but the general point still stood. As we approach another transfer window with Rangers needing to strengthen to bridge a nine-point gap to Celtic, there will be a lot of focus on Wilson. Here, Record Sport rates all 26 signings Rangers have made since his appointment from Southampton in October 2019.
Ianis Hagi
Initially signed on loan from Genk, the Romanian made an early impact with the winner against Hibs at Ibrox in only his second game and then that double against Braga on a memorable European night in Glasgow. His move was made permanent in the summer for around £4 million and played a key role in the historic title win. Has been a huge miss during almost a year out injured.
Verdict: Hit
Florian Kamberi
Swiss striker came in on loan from Hibs but only managed nine games, during which he scored one goal, before that season was curtailed due to Covid. Didn’t show enough during his time.
Verdict: Miss
Calvin Bassey
The outstanding success story after he was sold to Ajax for a club record transfer fee for Rangers of around £20 million. But he was already known to the club after impressing for Leicester City on a visit to Ibrox for a friendly.
Verdict: Hit
Jon McLaughlin
Signed on a free from Sunderland he has been an able deputy to Allan McGregor and broke a 114-year-old record when he kept six clean sheets on the spin at the start of the title-winning season. Was handed the chance to become first choice at the start of this season but blew it. However, overall has done the job he was brought in to do.
Verdict: Hit
Jermain Defoe
Former boss Steven Gerrard’s influence helped seal this deal and the veteran ex-England hitman was an invaluable influence around the club as they finally ended that long wait to win the title. Also netted 32 goals in 74 appearances - not a record to be snuffed at.
Verdict: Hit
Leon Balogun
A shrewd buy as Rangers were forced to act quickly when Niko Katic suffered a knee injury in training. The Nigeria international came in on a free and his versatility was key. Impressed during his time and many felt he shouldn’t have been allowed to leave - with Michael Beale taking him to QPR.
Verdict: Hit
Kemar Roofe
He will go down as a success because of his part in winning the league and also his Europa League exploits on the road to Seville. But he has spent far too much time in the treatment room having arrived at Ibrox in a fee of around £4.5m with a poor injury record.
Verdict: Hit
Cedric Itten
Swiss striker brought in for around £3 million but apart from goals against Motherwell - he seemed to love a strike against the Steelmen - and a peach against Lech Poznan, he did very little. He had a loan spell before joining Young Boys after two years at Ibrox.
Verdict: Miss
Bongani Zungu
Midfielder brought in on loan from Amiens in France but South African failed to make any real contribution and never recovered from Covid controversy when he was one of the Gers players caught at a rule-breaking house gathering.
Verdict: Miss
Jack Simpson
Former Bournemouth stopper was seen as a shrewd bit of business after landing him on a pre-contract but barely seen in the Rangers defence with just nine outings before joining Cardiff City.
Verdict: Miss
Scott Wright
Signed from Aberdeen for about £150,000 after initially penning a pre-contract. Has shown quality in flashes but not enough to get a sustained run in the first team.
Verdict: Miss
Nnamdi Ofoborh
This is one that is impossible to judge as the luckless midfielder hasn’t kicked a ball after a medical examination picked up a heart issue.
Verdict: N/A
Fashion Sakala
Has had his moments, mainly off the bench, and a decent enough squad player but the Oostende signing not really of the quality needed for Steven Gerrard at that time.
Verdict: Miss
John Lundstram
Another who joined thanks to Steven Gerrard’s influence. Was good business to get the former Sheffield United man in on a free and after a slow start he proved a vital player, scoring the goal to take them to Seville.
Verdict: Hit
Juninho Bacuna
After correcting the shareholder on the fact the was a free transfer, Wilson added that the fact they went on to sell him for a profit didn’t necessarily make him a good signing. And he was right - left after five months and 12 appearances.
Verdict: Miss
James Sands
The American signed an 18-month loan and could cost around £5 million to make his move permanent from New York City. Versatile and has been a decent addition but possibly not worth that fee.
Verdict: Hit
Amad Diallo
A huge money signing at Manchester United but, after a scoring debut against Ross County, looked like a little boy lost in the lion’s den of Parkhead for an Old Firm mauling. Another who didn’t live up to reputation.
Verdict: Miss
Mateusz Zukowski
The Polish full back managed just one appearance - against Annan - after being brought in following Nathan Patterson’s departure. Lasted six months before departing back to his homeland on loan.
Verdict: Miss
Aaron Ramsey
Much-hyped Welsh superstar arrived with a big reputation but very little game time at Juventus and his loan move didn’t work out. Missed the spot kick in the Europa League Final but overall didn’t contribute nearly enough.
Verdict: Miss
John Souttar
Has managed just one appearance on the opening day of the season when he came off against Livingston as the injury-jinxed former Hearts man was forced to go under the knife again.
Verdict: Jury's out
Antonio Colak
The Croat came in for some stick very early on but he soon had them eating their words. Netted the goal to take Rangers to Champions League group stage and has 14 in total.
Verdict: Hit
Tom Lawrence
Former Derby County was the biggest injury blow to former boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst as he looked the part before injury struck in August. Impossible to know if he would have continued that rich vein of form but his return will be a boost to Michael Beale.
Verdict: Jury’s out
Rabbi Matondo
The Welsh winger arrived with a reputation as a player with pace to burn and looked good in a pre-season friendly win over West Ham which got fans excited. But it wasn't a sign of things to come when the real action started and for the reported £3m fee he hasn’t proved value for money.
Verdict: Jury's out
Malik Tillman
The USA international was hyped early on after some impressive displays and headed Rangers beyond Union Saint-Gilliose on their way to the Champions League group stage so crucial from a financial aspect. On-loan Bayern Munich kid has been one of better summer recruits,
Verdict: Hit
Ridvan Yilmaz
The Turk was brought in from Besiktas and it was a significant outlay of £5.5 million as they spent some of the Calvin Bassey cash on a replacement. But he’s only played seven times and that has already led to speculation of a return to Turkey.
Verdict: Jury’s out
Ben Davies
The central defender was signed from Liverpool in the summer and, now 27, someone who a solid defensive foundation could be build upon for a few years. But another who fans haven't seen the best of due to injuries.
Verdict: Jury's out
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