GIOVANNI van Bronckhorst last night revealed Rangers did not make any further signings before the transfer window closed because he is content with the size and strength of his squad – and stressed they had never considered making a move for Ross Barkley.
Fans of the Ibrox club, who clinched a place in the Champions League group stages worth in the region of £40m when they beat PSV Eindhoven in the play-off last month, were disappointed when no new players were brought in on Thursday night.
Connor Goldson is currently the only fit specialist centre half that Van Bronckhorst has at his disposal and playmaker Tom Lawrence has also joined a lengthy injury list and will miss the match against Celtic this afternoon.
Rangers, who will fall five points behind their city rivals in the cinch Premiership table if they lose at Parkhead this afternoon, had been linked with Barkley after the England internationalist left Chelsea last month.
But their manager said: “We did our business quite early in the window. We had to do it because we had an important start to the season, domestically and also in the Champions League.
“I’m more than happy with the squad we have at the moment. We achieved our goal in reaching the Champions League, which is a huge achievement for my players.
“In the end of the window, I was quite relaxed because I think the squad is there. Of course, you will always keep an eye on possibilities to strengthen your squad with opportunities that will make you better.
“But if that’s not the case then that’s why we decided to bring in no new players. As I said before, I’m happy with the players we’ve got in now. I’m happy with reaching the group stage phase of the Champions League. So for me there are many positives.”
Asked if Rangers had targeted Barkley when he became a free agent, Van Bronckhorst said: “No, we didn’t. Of course, we know his availability, but he was never an option for us to take to Rangers.”
Lawrence, who has performed well for Rangers since arriving from Derby County on a free transfer in the summer, suffered a knee injury against Ross County last Saturday and will be out for several weeks as a result.
Van Bronckhorst said: “Tom is not available for tomorrow. Unfortunately he had more problems the day after the game last week, which means he will be out. I don’t expect him back before the international break, so he is some weeks out.
“To be sidelined is never a good feeling for any player. Tom had a great start to his Rangers career and for me as a coach it’s a disappointment not to have him available for a couple of weeks.
“We just need to make sure we keep continuing and get Tom back as soon as possible. We will work hard and continue our develop as a team.”
Finnish internationalist Glen Kamara was linked with Nice in France and Fenerbahce in Turkey during the window and Van Bronckhorst confessed he was pleased that he managed to hold on to the central midfielder.
“I always wanted to keep Glen,” he said. “We get many offers for players, for Glen as well. So for me I was always clear with Glen that I didn’t want to lose him, especially because we are playing for everything this season.
“We are in the Champions League so I am really happy that Glen is still here. He is an important part of this squad. He will make his contribution this season again like he did also last year.”
