The new Ibrox director of football can combine his understanding of Clement with knowledge and contacts in Belgium and the Netherlands.
It’s been a happy hunting ground for Rangers in the past, but now the Low Countries could represent their best chance of success in the transfer market given the personnel now running the recruitment show at Ibrox.
Of course Philippe Clement’s knowledge of the Belgian market will be in depth given his background. But Nils Koppen could be the man to unearth some gems given his background in the Benelux region. Clement’s compatriot actually rose to prominence in the Netherlands as youth scout for PSV before working his way up to become their chief scout.
Prior to that, he established his working relationship with Clement at Genk. Therefore, there are few better tuned in to what’s available in Holland and Belgium, as well as the type of players and character Clement is looking for. Koppen helped build the PSV side that battered Rangers in the Champions League playoff and while they won’t be shopping at the top end of that market, there’s definitely talent to be found across the North Sea.
The local knowledge Gers now have at their disposal should mean the chances of repeating Michael Beale’s mistakes as severely reduced, with more Raskins than Lammers identified. Record Sport looks at half a dozen potential targets who could fit the profile.
Romeo Vermant
Clement needs a striker, and while the likes of Lawrence Shankland would offer a proven Premiership goalscorer, those don’t come cheap. German-born Romeo Vermant would fit the criteria of what Clement could be after.
The 19-year-old is finding regular game time at Brugge hard to come by just now. But it’s more about his potential ceiling than what he’s doing just now. The Belgium Under 21 international boasts an impressive scoring record in the second tier for previous club NXT, which persuaded Brugge to pay €500k to land him last March.
Chidera Ejuke
Abdallah Sima has made the wide left position his own in recent weeks, but there’s no guarantee a permanent deal can be done for the Brighton man, with his value rising after every goal. Clement will no doubt be collating backup options, and Ejuke could fit the mould. The Nigerian is on loan at Royal Antwerp from CSKA Moscow. He’s scored twice in nine games as the Belgians embarked on their first ever Champions League group campaign this season. Ejuke has experience of the big stage, can play across the front line and doesn’t seem to be in the first team plans for the Russians, who remain banned from Europe. Rangers could provide a tempting alternative.
Isaac Hayden
Midfielder has become a problem area for Clement due to injuries this season. Deploying Dujon Sterling in the engine room highlights his lack of options and with both Ryan Jack and John Lundstram out of contract in the summer, more bodies are likely to be needed. Hayden would represent something of a low risk addition. The 28-year-old has experience of the highest level in England after seven years with Newcastle. He’s currently on loan at Standard Liege and while his contract at St James’ runs until 2026, he’s out of the picture under Eddie Howe, so a deal could be done. Versatile and athletic, he seems to tick a few boxes, and there are reports he will cut short his time in Belgium to find a new club next month.
Koki Saito
Taking a leaf out of Celtic’s book and going Japanese has been a policy more than one Premiership club has adopted recently. The Hoops can afford a higher calibre of Japanese talent than most Premiership rivals, but Rangers should be able to compete in that market.
Japan Under 23 international Saito is another wide left possibility should a deal for Sima not come to fruition. The Sparta Rotterdam wide man played for Yokohama FC before making the move to Europe with Lommel in Belgium, who loaned him to the Dutch outfit. He’s played just five times, but two goals and an assist in those outings is a decent return. He has a year left on his Lommel deal come the summer, so another loan fr the final uyear of his contract may appeal.
Thom Haye
The Heerenveen defensive midfielder is out of contract in the summer. He’s been a regular since they paid €750k to sign him from NAC Breda four years ago. Having come through thee ranks at AZ Alkmaar, Haye boasts a decent pedigree, racking up the appearances for them before two years at Willem II and a season playing for Lecce in 2018/19.
At 28, he’s at the peak of his powers with good experience. Perhaps a more interesting alternative to the likes of Hayden, Haye seems to fit the recruitment profile Rangers would be keen on.
Gustaf Nilsson
The 25-year-old Swedish international has hit seven goals in 15 Jupiler Pro League games for Union Saint-Gilloise. At 6’4″, he is a good target up top and would offer Rangers something different. Has 18 months left on his contract and while USG have the option to extend by a year, the potential for Champions League football with Rangers could prove a tempting one. Would require a fee, but isn’t valued at the same sort of money as the other top scorers in the Belgian top flight. And considering the money Beale dropped on the likes of Dessers and Lammers, anything less than those fees could represent a bargain for a striker with a decent scoring CV.
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