NafisaRangers are heading into the final days of the transfer window with their attacking options still attracting plenty of attention, but Derek McInnes looks set to finally get the striker he has been asking for.
The Ibrox side have endured a hectic few weeks, both on and off the pitch, with their European disappointment adding even more pressure on the manager to strengthen his squad.
Sunday’s trip to Pittodrie provided a much-needed response as Rangers secured a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen, with Lawrence Shankland converting from the penalty spot to give McInnes his first Scottish Premiership win of the season.
It was a hugely important result after Rangers had crashed out of European competition following their penalty shoot-out defeat to Jablonec.
But while Shankland’s goal will have been welcomed, the lack of regular goals from Rangers’ existing forwards has remained a concern.
McInnes has been clear for some time that another striker is required, particularly after Youssef Chermiti suffered a serious knee injury against Hibernian.
The Rangers boss admitted after the Aberdeen victory that the club had identified the striker they wanted and that the delay in getting the deal completed was largely beyond their control.
“In terms of ones in, it’s been a while now since Youssef went down against Hibs, so we’re really keen and eager to get the striker in that we want.
“Again, it’s taken a bit longer, but it’s not reasons the club are guilty for. We all know the importance of bringing in that quality at the top end of the pitch.”
That wait is now almost over.
Rangers are set to announce the signing of Portland Timbers striker Kevin Kelsy, with the Venezuelan finally arriving in Glasgow after a drawn-out transfer process.
The Ibrox club have agreed a deal worth £9.5million for the 21-year-old, who is expected to complete the final formalities before the transfer is officially announced.
It represents a significant investment from Rangers and underlines just how highly the club rate the forward.
The deal has not, however, been completely straightforward.
Rangers have already experienced some of the complications that can come with recruiting players from the United States this summer, having signed Olwethu Makhanya from Philadelphia Union.
Makhanya encountered visa issues during his move, and Kelsy has faced a similar problem.
According to the Daily Record, the Venezuelan was held up in San Francisco while travelling to Glasgow because of an issue with his visa.
Those complications have now been resolved, allowing Kelsy to finally make his way to Scotland.
The striker completed his medical on Monday and is expected to be formally unveiled by Rangers today, provided there are no last-minute complications.
For McInnes, getting Kelsy through the door could prove particularly important given the uncertainty surrounding the rest of his forward line.
Shankland arrived at Ibrox as one of the headline additions of the summer, but the Rangers captain has already found himself dropped to the bench on occasions, with Ryan Naderi preferred in certain matches.
Neither striker has produced the consistent goals Rangers will ultimately need, although Shankland’s penalty at Aberdeen could provide a timely confidence boost.
After the disappointment of their European exit, the victory at Pittodrie was exactly what McInnes needed.
Now Rangers will hope the arrival of Kelsy can give them another attacking dimension as they attempt to build momentum domestically.
There could also be another change to the forward line before the Scottish transfer deadline.
Bojan Miovski has been linked with a move away from Ibrox, with interest reportedly coming from clubs in Turkey and the Netherlands.
If Rangers complete Kelsy’s arrival, Miovski could potentially leave on loan before the deadline, meaning one striker comes in while another heads towards the exit.
For now, though, the focus is firmly on getting Kelsy officially confirmed.
The Portland Timbers forward is already in Glasgow, the major hurdles have been overcome and Rangers appear to be on the verge of completing one of the most significant attacking deals of their summer.
McInnes wanted another striker following Chermiti’s injury.
He is now finally getting his man.
Nafisa
