Glasgow Rangers went into the summer transfer window knowing that they had big boots to fill at right-back after James Tavernier moved on from Ibrox.
The veteran defender left the club on a free transfer at the start of July after his contract at the club came to an end, leaving with ten seasons under his belt in Scotland.
Tavernier assisted 148 goals in 565 matches in all competitions for the club, which meant that the Gers lost a huge attacking threat when he opted to leave.
Derek McInnes moved swiftly to bring Ross McCrorie back to Ibrox for a second spell, having come through the youth ranks at the club, signing him from Championship side Bristol City on a permanent deal.
Why Rangers already need to replace Ross McCrorie
Three competitive games into the season, it is already apparent that the Scottish giants need to go back into the transfer market to sign a new right-back to start ahead of McCrorie.
He has been benched in favour of Dujon Sterling and central midfielder Vanja Dragojevic in the first two Scottish Premiership outings against Dundee United and Hibernian, whilst he started the 2-1 defeat to Jagiellonia Białystok in the Europa League.
The experienced defender joined the club after being a solid, yet unspectacular, performer for Bristol City over three years in the Championship, and he does not look up to the level Rangers need in possession of the ball.
|
25/26 Premiership |
Ross McCrorie |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
2 |
|
Chances created |
1 |
|
Big chances created |
0 |
|
Assists |
0 |
|
Pass accuracy |
75% |
|
Pass accuracy in opposition’s half |
68% |
|
Long pass accuracy |
25% |
McCrorie only completed 73% of his passes in the Championship for the Robins last term, and the Light Blues have already witnessed him struggle on the ball under pressure in the first two Premiership matches for McInnes.
In all three of his appearances in all competitions, the Scottish defender has either given the ball away cheaply or gone backwards or sideways too many times on the ball, which has a negative impact on the way Rangers build up play and create chances.
Rangers in talks to sign instant McCrorie upgrade
The Premiership giants, therefore, already need to replace McCrorie, and the 49ers are now looking at a player who could come in to take his place.
Sky Sports reports that Glasgow Rangers are pursuing a deal to sign Club Brugge full-back Hugo Siquet before the end of the summer transfer window.
The outlet claims that the Belgian defender is keen on a move to Ibrox in the coming days, which suggests that personal terms would not be an issue for the club.
However, Sky Sports adds that the Pro League giants are not looking to cash in on the 24-year-old talent, making this a difficult deal for the Gers to get over the line.
The Light Blues should now make a second offer for the right-back after it was reported earlier this week that an offer of £3m was turned down, going back in with a bid in excess of £3m in an attempt to secure his services.
McInnes need a right-back who can, at least, come close to replacing the creativity that Tavernier provided in that position, and Siquet’s form for Club Brugge last term suggests that he is the man for the job.
|
25/26 Pro League |
Siquet per 90 |
Rank vs RBs |
|---|---|---|
|
Successful crosses |
2.24 |
Top 5% |
|
Cross accuracy |
36.4% |
Top 5% |
|
Chances created |
2.66 |
Top 1% |
|
Big chances created |
0.28 |
Top 24% |
|
xA |
0.24 |
Top 6% |
|
Assists |
0.14 |
Top 28% |
The Belgian starlet ranked highly among his positional peers in a host of creative metrics, which suggests that he could be an outstanding creative threat from right-back for the Gers.
McCrorie only averaged 0.09 xA and 0.95 chances created per 90 in the Championship for Bristol City in the 2025/26 campaign, showing that Siquet would be a significant upgrade on him from an offensive perspective.
The Club Brugge star, however, is not just an attack-minded full-back who focuses solely on getting forward. He also won 67% of his ground duels and 65% of his aerial duels in the Pro League last season.
Siquet, who played when his side beat Russell Martin’s Rangers 6-0 in the Champions League last term, has the strength to be a dominant defender on the ground and in the air to complement his offensive play.
The Belgian is, therefore, a complete full-back who would offer quality at both ends of the pitch for the Scottish giants, which is exactly what they need in that position after their frustrating start to the campaign.
McCrorie, as aforementioned, does not look up to the level in possession to break teams down, and that is why the 49ers should go all-out to convince Club Brugge to cash in on Siquet, who would be an instant upgrade at right-back for McInnes.
