Rangers’ Transfer Woes and Rare Success Stories
Glasgow Rangers and the transfer market haven’t exactly been a match made in heaven in recent years. Since their return to the Premiership for the 2016/17 season, the Ibrox side has endured a string of poor signings.
Pedro Caixinha splurged on players like Carlos Pena and Eduardo Herrera, who failed to meet expectations, while even Steven Gerrard made his share of mistakes in the early transfer windows. The former Liverpool captain brought in flops such as Umar Sadiq and Eros Grezda in 2018, followed by underwhelming signings like Juninho Bacuna and Cedric Itten in later years.
Post-Gerrard, managers have continued to struggle in the market, with players such as Sam Lammers, Ben Davies, and Jose Cifuentes failing to make a significant impact in Scotland.
When Rangers Get It Right, It Pays Off
Despite the long list of disappointments, Rangers have occasionally unearthed gems who have delivered both on the pitch and financially. Joe Aribo, for instance, was sold for around £10 million in 2020 after joining for a mere £300,000 three years earlier. Among the current squad, Hamza Igamane appears destined to fetch a sizable profit following his impressive performances this season.
One of Rangers’ biggest success stories in recent years, from a financial perspective, was Calvin Bassey. Now playing in the Premier League with Fulham, Bassey’s rise began when Rangers took a gamble on him.
How Rangers Made a Fortune on Calvin Bassey
In the summer of 2020, as Gerrard looked to challenge Celtic for the Premiership title, he brought in several new faces. Ianis Hagi signed permanently, while Cedric Itten, Kemar Roofe, and Leon Balogun also arrived. But it was the signing of Bassey from Leicester City for just £200,000 in compensation that proved to be the most inspired.
Initially a squad player, Bassey made just 15 appearances in the 2020/21 season. However, an injury crisis in the following campaign gave him a chance in central defense alongside Connor Goldson – a move that paid off handsomely. Bassey went on to make 50 appearances across all competitions that season, helping Rangers reach the Europa League final and win the Scottish Cup for the first time in 13 years.
His impressive performances attracted plenty of European interest, and Ajax eventually secured his services for a club-record fee of nearly £23 million. Bassey’s move remains one of Rangers’ finest pieces of business in modern times.
Is Cerny Rangers’ Best Signing Since Bassey?
Following Scott Wright’s departure last summer, Philippe Clement was left with just one right-winger – Ross McCausland – leaving that area in desperate need of reinforcements. Enter Cerny, who initially had a mixed start at Ibrox.
After some promising early displays, Cerny struggled in a 4-1 Europa League defeat to Lyon, missing a key chance and losing possession 11 times. However, he bounced back with two goals against St Johnstone just days later and hasn’t looked back since.
The 27-year-old has racked up 17 goals and seven assists in 44 appearances, including six goals in the Europa League. He has also created two big chances, averages 1.3 key passes per game, and completes 2.3 dribbles per match – numbers that highlight his ability to perform against high-level opposition.
Cerny’s Stock Is Rising
Cerny was at the heart of Rangers’ recent 3-2 Old Firm victory over Celtic, even soaking Celtic fans with a bottle of water while celebrating Hamza Igamane’s late winner. His antics endeared him to the Ibrox faithful, with journalist Matthew Lindsay labeling him a “cult hero” after that “moment of madness.”
According to Transfermarkt, Cerny’s value has now soared to €9 million (£7.5 million), and given his form, he is likely to attract plenty of interest this summer. The big question is whether Rangers’ next permanent manager will choose to invest in Cerny, particularly with other areas of the squad requiring attention.
Cerny’s impact on and off the pitch has been significant. If Rangers do decide to make his move permanent, could he go on to be one of their best signings in recent years? The next few months will be crucial in determining his future at Ibrox.
