Rangers seek striker & are 'playing with fire' in defence

What the report says

Rangers manager Derek McInnes says the club are actively looking for a new striker after Youssef Chermiti was ruled out for a prolonged spell with an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in Saturday’s defeat by Hibernian. McInnes said the injury, coming in the middle of the transfer window, gives the club a chance to respond in the market, and he added that the forward area remains a priority for recruitment. BBC Sport reports that Rangers had already seen a bid rejected for the 22-year-old Portugal Under-21 international shortly before the injury, and that Chermiti may need a specialist consultation in London, with surgery a possibility next week.

The injury concerns do not stop there. Left-back Tuur Rommens is also sidelined after picking up a groin problem in the same match and could miss up to eight weeks. McInnes said the defensive situation has left Rangers “playing with fire,” stressing that the squad is light in that area and lacks a left-footed defender. He said the club are trying to move quickly to address both defensive and wide positions.

Rangers are preparing for a Europa League third-round qualifier at home to Jagiellonia Bialystok on Thursday, where they must overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit. BBC Sport also noted reported transfer links with Brentford’s Jayden Meghoma and PSV Eindhoven winger Couhaib Driouech, although McInnes said no deal has been finalized.