Glasgow Rangers are in the market to add further reinforcements to their attack after confirming the signing of Min-su Kim on a permanent deal earlier this week.
The Light Blues lost on penalties to Jablonec in the Conference League play-off second leg after a 1-0 defeat after 120 minutes on Thursday evening, highlighting the need for more quality to be added to the attack.
Portland Timbers centre-forward Kevin Kelsy is due to arrive on a permanent deal for a fee of around £9m, as the Light Blues close in on an agreement for the striker.
The Scottish giants, however, may sign more than one striker before next week’s deadline, given their struggles in that position in the 2026/27 campaign so far.
Why Rangers need to sign another striker after Kevin Kelsy
Kelsy has scored 19 goals for Portland Timbers since the start of 2025 and could be an exciting addition to the group, but another number nine may be needed because of Lawrence Shankland and Ryan Naderi’s struggles.
Shankland is yet to score a non-penalty goal since signing from Hearts over the summer. He has scored one penalty in seven matches in all competitions, after being given the captaincy, and has not started any of the last three matches.
Naderi has been slightly more effective, scoring two goals in six appearances, but his performances across the two legs against Jablonec highlighted his lack of consistency.
|
Naderi vs Jablonec |
1st leg |
2nd leg |
|---|---|---|
|
Minutes |
89 |
79 |
|
Shots |
1 |
1 |
|
Goals |
1 |
0 |
|
Pass accuracy |
80% |
58% |
|
Key passes |
3 |
1 |
|
Big chances created |
2 |
0 |
|
Duels won |
8/17 |
4/8 |
The German forward scored a goal and created two ‘big chances’ for his teammates in an electric display in the first leg, before struggling in the second leg on Thursday.
Naderi has also only scored one goal in 11 matches in the Scottish Premiership since his move from Hansa Rostock in the winter window, which means that he has yet to prove that he can be relied upon.
That is why Kelsy should not be the only striker brought in before the end of the window next week, as Derek McInnes does not have enough reliable goalscorers in his squad.
How Rangers can seal an upgrade on Ryan Naderi
The 49ers appear to have realised that they need to sign multiple attacking options for the Scottish boss, as they are looking at another striker after Kelsy.
According to RangersNews reporter Pranav Shahaney, Glasgow Rangers are considering a swoop to sign Rodez centre-forward Ibrahima Balde before the end of the summer transfer window.
The journalist claims that the French marksman is open to making the move to Ibrox, despite the lack of European football on offer, and wants to leave the Ligue 2 club before the deadline.
Shahaney adds that the Light Blues have yet to make a formal approach to land the 23-year-old attacker, but he remains under consideration as an option to bolster the attack.
Balde could arrive at Ibrox as an upgrade on Naderi in the centre-forward position for the Scottish giants because of his ability to score goals on a regular basis.
His form for Rodez in Ligue 2 suggests that he is a natural goalscorer who could provide McInnes’ side with the threat that they currently lack in that area of the pitch.
|
26/27 season |
Balde (L2) |
Naderi (Premiership) |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
3 |
2 |
|
xG |
1.07 |
0.51 |
|
Goals |
4 |
0 |
|
Minutes per goal |
64 |
N/A |
|
Duels won per game |
3.3 |
5.0 |
|
Duel success rate |
36% |
40% |
The 23-year-old star has already racked up four goals in the current campaign, whilst Naderi is yet to score a goal in the Premiership, and is averaging a goal every 64 minutes.
Balde would, therefore, arrive at the club as a player who is in the form of his life and would, in theory, be able to hit the ground running whilst he is full of confidence as a finisher.
The French attacker also scored 12 goals in 21 starts in Ligue 2 in the 2025/26 campaign for Rodez, averaging a goal every 153 minutes, whilst he also created three ‘big chances’ for his teammates.
His form last season shows that his current goalscoring exploits are not a total flash in the pan and that he could provide Rangers with a regular threat as a goalscorer.
Naderi, meanwhile, is yet to score more than nine goals in a season in all competitions, let alone at league level, in his career and has yet to prove that he can be a reliable goalscorer for the Gers.
Therefore, Balde could arrive to improve McInnes’ options in the number nine position by being a far more prolific and reliable goalscorer than the German frontman.
