As Rangers look ahead to a hectic run of winter fixtures, Philippe Clement’s concentration won’t be meandering to transfer business just yet.
The Gers face a gruelling schedule of 12 games in 37 days as the international break comes to an end and it’s a potentially defining period of the season.
Rangers will contest the League Cup Final with Aberdeen, visit Pittodrie, Tynecastle and Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership, and find out their Europa League fate.
If Rangers can get to January with a winner’s medal around their neck, the Scottish Premiership title still within eyeshot and a place in Europe after Christmas Philippe Clement will have done very well indeed.
But with the Belgian manager’s first transfer window also approaching, here are three names from Clement’s past who might boost Rangers heading into 2024 and beyond.
Ivorian defender bought and sold by Philippe Clement
Rangers fans might remember Simon Deli from Ibrox links back in 2019 during the Ivorian centre-back’s time in the Czech Republic.
But it was actually Philippe Clement who helped pip the Ibrox side to the signing of the 6ft4 defender who joined Club Brugge on a three-year deal in 2019.
Farmed back on loan to Slavia Prague in February 2021, Rangers manager Clement bought and sold the defender at Club Brugge.
With injuries persisting in the centre-back position in Glasgow, Adana Demirspor defender Simon Deli has barely played out on loan at Istanbulspor in Turkey this season.
Belgian talent given Club Brugge chance by Big Phil
By now you’ve probably read about those transfer links between Rangers and Bayer Leverkusen teenage midfield talent Noah Mbamba.
Reports have suggested that Rangers are actually pipping Manchester City in the hunt for the 18-year-old’s signature due to only boasting a loan interest in the player.
Interestingly, Noah Mbamba broke through at Club Brugge under the management of Philippe Clement when he was only 16-years-old.
It’s clear that Rangers manager believes in the young Bundesliga star and the Ibrox squad have benefitted from the loan market in recent seasons.
Ex-Club Brugge winger now at AS Monaco
There’s plenty being made about Rangers’ lack of natural width at present, with the club’s only wide options coming in the shape of Scott Wright, Rabbi Matondo and Ross McCausland.
Krepin Diatta represents a very interesting option for a number of reasons, although the Senegalese winger might be a little too rich for our tastes.
Having played under Rangers boss Philippe Clement at Club Brugge, the winger moved to AS Monaco in January 2021 and was reunited with the Belgian in France.
A first-team regular at AS Monaco, a permanent transfer from Rangers is certainly a tad unrealistic but the Philippe Clement link might have a few keeping an eye on the attacker.
Yet to score this season, it’s not exactly be a blistering campaign and pastures new might tempt all involved.
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