NafisaRangers supporters had plenty to celebrate after their side secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Aberdeen at Hampden, with Ryan Naderi’s late strike sending Derek McInnes’ men into the Premier Sports Cup final.
It was another important result for the Ibrox side, who continued their impressive unbeaten run and booked their place in the December showpiece. However, while attention was initially focused on the victory and the performance of the players who delivered it, fresh transfer news has now emerged that could leave sections of the Rangers support frustrated.
A potential January departure is reportedly on the cards, with one young player who had previously been tipped to make an impression at Ibrox facing an uncertain future under McInnes.
And the identity of the player involved is likely to surprise supporters who remember how highly his performances last season were regarded.
According to Football Insider, Rangers winger Findlay Curtis could push for another loan move when the January transfer window opens if his first-team opportunities do not improve.
The 20-year-old had given himself a genuine opportunity to establish a place in the Rangers squad following an impressive loan spell at Kilmarnock.
Curtis spent the second half of last season at Rugby Park, where he registered six goal contributions in 14 appearances and played an important role in helping the club avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership.
His performances strengthened his reputation and helped him break into the Scotland squad, raising expectations that he could become a useful option for Rangers this season.
He initially enjoyed regular minutes during the opening weeks of the campaign under McInnes, but his involvement has dropped significantly since the last international break.
In fact, Curtis has not started a league match since Rangers faced Motherwell on September 5.
The problem is that the manager has increasingly settled on Min-su Kim as his preferred option on the right flank, leaving Curtis struggling to get the opportunities he needs to make an impression.
Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke has now revealed that the winger could seek another temporary departure if his situation remains unchanged.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, O’Rourke explained: “He enjoyed a very good loan last year at Kilmarnock, which helped him break into the Scotland squad.
“The issue for Curtis right now is that Rangers have been performing well with a settled side. I think it’s one that probably Rangers will look at and review closer to the January window if he’s not getting many opportunities.”
The report suggests Curtis will push to leave Ibrox on loan again in January if he continues to struggle for regular first-team football.
Rangers’ attacking options leave Curtis frustrated
There is little indication that Rangers are currently struggling to produce results in the attacking department.
The Ibrox side have scored in each of their last 10 matches across all competitions and are enjoying an ongoing unbeaten run.
That consistency makes it difficult for McInnes to justify making unnecessary changes to a starting eleven that has been delivering results.
For Curtis, however, the situation presents a difficult dilemma. He needs regular football to continue his development, but the players currently ahead of him are making it increasingly difficult to break into the team.
His statistics this season also make for frustrating reading when compared with his previous spell at Rangers.
Curtis has made 16 appearances for the club without registering a goal or assist. Last season, before joining Kilmarnock, he recorded three goals and two assists in 21 appearances for the Gers.
Nevertheless, his underlying numbers suggest that he still has plenty to offer.
The statistics that could attract January interest
Despite his lack of direct goal contributions this season, Curtis has produced some encouraging figures when given opportunities.
According to the statistics highlighted by Football Insider, he ranks in the 90th percentile for chances created per 90 minutes among Scottish Premiership wingers and attacking midfielders, averaging 2.73.
He also sits in the 92nd percentile for big chances created per 90 minutes, with an average of 0.84.
His other numbers are equally notable, placing him in the 83rd percentile for successful crosses, the 90th percentile for duels won percentage and the 81st percentile for fouls won per 90 minutes.
Those figures suggest that Curtis has attacking qualities that could make him an attractive option for other clubs in the Scottish Premiership.
Indeed, other sides are expected to show interest if Rangers make him available for another loan spell in January.
The winger also has his Scotland ambitions to consider. His previous spell at Kilmarnock helped him break into the national-team picture, but maintaining that position could become more difficult if he continues spending important weeks on the sidelines.
For Rangers, the decision will ultimately come down to whether Curtis has a realistic opportunity to force his way back into McInnes’ plans during the coming weeks.
The manager has a settled team producing results, while the young winger needs regular minutes to keep his development moving forward.
With January approaching, Curtis could once again find himself leaving Ibrox in search of the playing time he cannot currently guarantee at Rangers.
Nafisa
