Rangers’ active summer transfer window shows no signs of slowing down under Russell Martin’s leadership. Since the Englishman took charge at Ibrox, the club has secured six new signings, with the latest addition being Nasser Djiga, who arrives on a season-long loan. Djiga joins Lyall Cameron, Max Aarons, Joe Rothwell, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Thelo Aasgaard in what has been a significant recruitment drive by the Glasgow giants.
Now, attention appears to be turning towards another key area: central defence. With the start of their competitive season imminent, Rangers are keen to strengthen their back line further. In their recent friendly against Club Brugge, the team fought back from a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2, courtesy of second-half goals from Mohamed Diomandé and youngster Findlay Curtis. However, such defensive lapses won’t be acceptable when Rangers begin their Champions League qualifying campaign against Panathinaikos in just ten days.
Sky Sports News reports that Rangers are still pursuing Leicester City centre-back Conor Coady. Earlier in the transfer window, Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke revealed that the club were in advanced negotiations for the experienced defender. Although a deal has yet to materialise, the move remains a real possibility. With Leicester aiming to offload high earners following their drop to the Championship—confirmed by Rob Tanner of The Athletic—there’s reason to believe they’ll be open to facilitating Coady’s exit.
Martin is reportedly eager to wrap up this transfer quickly, especially with the crucial European tie fast approaching.
Coady’s addition would bring much-needed experience to a Rangers defence that currently lacks it. The club’s centre-back options include:
| Player | Age | Joined | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Souttar | 28 | 2022 | 94 |
| Ben Davies | 29 | 2022 | 58 |
| Clinton Nsiala | 21 | 2024 | 13 |
| Leon King | 21 | 2020 | 42 |
| Nasser Djiga | 22 | 2025 | 0 |
| Emmanuel Fernandez | 23 | 2025 | 0 |
With Robin Pröpper poised to return to FC Twente after Rangers accepted a bid, the club is likely down to six centre-backs. Djiga, who featured in both the Premier League and Champions League last season, is expected to be a first-choice pick. John Souttar, who made a career-best 40 appearances last season, could partner him — although that could change should Coady arrive.
The former Wolves man brings leadership and elite-level experience. Teammate James Tarkowski called him a “great leader,” while former manager Sean Dyche praised his “immaculate” professionalism. Analyst Adam McNulty highlighted his exceptional passing range, pointing to the 2019/20 season where Coady completed more accurate long passes than anyone in the Premier League.
Martin’s tactical approach leans heavily on possession and control, making Coady’s distribution skills particularly valuable. Comparing recent seasons — excluding his limited time at Leicester — Coady outperforms Souttar across numerous metrics, including passes attempted, forward passes, interceptions, and ball recoveries.
Given Rangers’ need for both experience and quality at the back, and Coady’s fit within Martin’s system, this is a move that makes perfect sense. It’s now up to the club to finalise the deal quickly — ideally before Panathinaikos come to town.
