NafisaRangers could be facing another unwanted transfer headache as one of their summer midfield plans threatens to unravel, with a £4.3 million signing reportedly prepared to consider his future if his situation does not improve.
Derek McInnes has been working to establish his preferred starting XI at Ibrox, with Rangers looking to maintain their progress after a difficult period in recent seasons. However, competition for places has left some players struggling to secure regular opportunities, creating uncertainty over their roles in the squad.
For one midfielder, the contrast between his promising start at Rangers and his current position has been particularly striking.
He arrived in Glasgow with expectations of becoming an important part of the team after impressing during his previous spell in Austrian football. His performances towards the end of last season suggested he could develop into a key figure at Ibrox.
Yet the new campaign has brought a frustrating change in fortunes, with McInnes increasingly turning to other options in the centre of midfield.
Now, with the January transfer window approaching, the player could be forced to consider whether his future lies elsewhere if his lack of minutes continues.
According to Football Insider, Rangers midfielder Tochi Chukwuani is ready to consider a move away from the club in January (might possibly join Celtic should the offer arises) if his playing time does not improve.
Chukwuani growing frustrated with Rangers role
The 23-year-old joined Rangers in January from Austrian side Sturm Graz and made an encouraging impression during the second half of last season.
Despite arriving halfway through the campaign, the Danish midfielder managed 18 appearances and appeared to be establishing himself as a valuable option in the middle of the park.
His reported £4.3 million price tag also suggested Rangers viewed him as an investment with significant potential, rather than simply a short-term squad addition.
However, Chukwuani has found himself slipping down the pecking order since McInnes took charge.
He has made eight appearances across competitions this season but is yet to start a Scottish Premiership match, with Dan Neil and Nico Raskin emerging as the manager’s preferred midfield pairing.
Football Insider reported: “Rangers midfielder Tochi Chukwuani is ready to consider a move away from Ibrox in January if his game time doesn’t improve. The 23-year-old is not yet angling for a move away ahead of the winter window, but is prepared to take matters into his own hands if he continues to be left out in the cold.”
That distinction is important. Chukwuani has not reportedly demanded an immediate departure, but his patience could be tested if the situation remains unchanged over the coming weeks.
McInnes has other midfield options
Chukwuani’s route back into the starting XI has become more difficult following Rangers’ summer recruitment.
As well as Neil and Raskin, the club strengthened its midfield options by bringing in Vanja Dragojevic and Cammy Devlin.
With several players competing for limited places, McInnes has shown a preference for consistency rather than making wholesale changes from one match to the next.
Rangers have made just one change to their starting XI across their last four matches, according to the report, leaving limited opportunities for those outside the manager’s preferred team.
The absence of European football has also reduced the need for regular rotation, further complicating Chukwuani’s efforts to earn more minutes.
Unless injuries, suspensions or a change in form open the door, the midfielder may have to make the most of substitute appearances to convince McInnes that he deserves a more prominent role.
Rangers midfield error raises fresh questions
Rangers’ 2-2 draw against Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday provided another talking point surrounding the midfield.
The Light Blues had built momentum during a seven-match winning run, with Neil and Raskin forming an increasingly settled partnership.
However, both were involved in the mistake that allowed Dundee to equalise.
Raskin gave possession to Neil in a dangerous area before the former Sunderland midfielder played a short back pass that went straight into the path of Dundee’s Callum Jones, who punished the error.
The incident proved costly as Dundee rescued a point, ending Rangers’ hopes of extending their winning run.
McInnes subsequently described the mistake as a moment that disrupted his team’s momentum.
He said: “It was almost like a balloon popping when we made a mistake, which can happen.
“We never really got back to that same level. Although we did have enough balls in their box to score. We should be scoring. With some of the stats and some of the touches we had, we should be scoring more than two goals a night. So a combination of that and us also coming away from home, should they need to score three goals to win a game of football.”
The error does not automatically mean Chukwuani will be promoted into the starting team, but it highlights how quickly a settled partnership can come under scrutiny when results disappoint.
January could become a major decision for Rangers
For Chukwuani, the coming months could determine whether he remains part of McInnes’ plans or begins exploring alternatives.
At 23, he still has time to develop, but regular football will be important if he wants to fulfil the potential Rangers saw when they signed him from Sturm Graz.
A January departure would give the midfielder an opportunity to seek more consistent minutes, while Rangers would need to weigh the benefits of retaining their investment against the risk of keeping an unhappy player on the fringes.
For now, however, there is no confirmed transfer request or agreement for him to leave. The reported position is that Chukwuani is prepared to consider his options if his circumstances do not improve.
McInnes still has time to change that situation by giving the midfielder more opportunities before the winter window opens.
But if the current selection pattern continues, Rangers could face a difficult decision over a player who arrived with considerable expectations and now finds himself fighting simply to break into the starting XI.
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