NafisaRangers’ summer rebuild under Derek McInnes continues to gather pace, but not every piece of business arriving out of Ibrox has involved a new face walking through the door.
While supporters have understandably focused on the club’s string of signings and preparations for the new Premiership season, the manager has also been quietly trimming his squad behind the scenes as he looks to build a group capable of challenging on all fronts.
Several players have already discovered they no longer feature in McInnes’ long-term plans, and after weeks of speculation surrounding one forgotten first-team star, Rangers have now made an official announcement that brings an end to his short stay in Glasgow.
The Light Blues confirmed on Wednesday that Oliver Antman has completed a permanent transfer to Belgian giants Anderlecht.
The Finland international only arrived at Ibrox last summer after Rangers agreed a deal worth around £3.5 million with Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles.
There was optimism that Antman could add pace and creativity to Rangers’ attack, but injuries and inconsistent performances prevented him from establishing himself as a regular starter.
Following Derek McInnes’ arrival as manager, the winger was informed he would not be part of the club’s plans moving forward, opening the door for a summer departure.
After negotiations with Anderlecht gathered momentum, the Belgian club reached an agreement with Rangers and have now completed the transfer.
Rangers confirmed the move in a brief statement on social media, saying:
“We can today confirm Oliver Antman has joined @rscanderlecht for an undisclosed fee.
“Everyone at Rangers wishes Oliver all the best for the future.”
Although Antman struggled to make the desired impact on the pitch, Rangers appear to have negotiated an impressive piece of business financially.
Reports suggest Anderlecht have paid more than £4 million to sign the 24-year-old, meaning Rangers have made a profit despite his disappointing spell at Ibrox.
Across his only season with the club, Antman made 28 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing five assists.
His departure is another indication that McInnes is determined to reshape the squad quickly, with several players already leaving and more exits expected before the transfer window closes.
For Rangers, moving on players who no longer fit the manager’s plans while recovering their investment is viewed as an important part of the club’s rebuild.
Antman’s exit now frees up another squad place and additional funds as Rangers continue working on further arrivals before the transfer deadline.
Nafisa
