Rangers’ recruitment strategy for next season is becoming clearer, with the club placing a strong emphasis on acquiring young Scottish talent. Their January pre-contract agreement with Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron was an early indication of this shift, but it now appears that his teammate Josh Mulligan could be the next player on their radar.
Mulligan, a 22-year-old defensive midfielder, has been a key figure in Tony Docherty’s Dundee side this season, showcasing his physicality, work rate, and defensive acumen. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with various pundits and former players advocating for Rangers to move for him as they look to reshape their squad for the coming campaign. Among those pushing for his signing is former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday, who has been vocal about his belief that Mulligan would be an ideal addition to the Ibrox club.
Halliday, speaking on Open Goal earlier this year, pointed to the need for Rangers to build for the future after an underwhelming domestic campaign that saw their title challenge effectively end far too early. Reflecting on the team’s struggles, he emphasized the importance of bringing in fresh talent, particularly from within the Scottish Premiership, to ensure that Rangers have the depth required to compete across all competitions.
“It’s a sad state,” Halliday said, assessing Rangers’ struggles. “It’s January, and you’re already saying the league is done. It’s been done for a while. They just need to prepare a squad—whether it’s depth, quality, lining up players for the summer—just try to do as much business as they can.”
Halliday was unequivocal in his view that Rangers should be making moves for both Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan immediately.
“Pre-contracts! Two players I would sign right now: Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan. Honestly, I would sign the two of them.”
Mulligan’s style of play makes him an intriguing option for Rangers. As a defensive midfielder, he thrives in breaking up opposition attacks, winning back possession, and using his physicality to dominate battles in the middle of the pitch. His statistics from this season back up his reputation as a tough and effective midfielder—he has won over 70% of his tackles (31 successful tackles at a 72.1% success rate), which is an impressive return for a player in his role. Additionally, he has been successful in 50% of his duels (winning 125 in total) and has made 117 recoveries of the ball in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Another notable aspect of Mulligan’s game is his aerial presence. Standing at 6 feet tall, he is a strong competitor in the air, winning 34 aerial duels at a success rate of 59.6%. This makes him an asset in defensive situations, particularly from set pieces, an area where Rangers have occasionally struggled.
Despite these strengths, there are aspects of Mulligan’s game that still require refinement. One of the biggest concerns is his passing accuracy, which currently sits at 75.8%. While this is a respectable figure, it suggests that he needs to improve his ability to retain possession and distribute the ball efficiently under pressure. At Rangers, midfielders are expected to control the tempo of matches and recycle possession effectively, so this is an area where Mulligan would need to develop if he were to succeed at Ibrox.
In terms of squad planning, Mulligan would likely be viewed as a rotational option rather than an immediate starter. With Nicolas Raskin already established as Rangers’ first-choice defensive midfielder, Mulligan could provide valuable depth, particularly for a team that will be competing in domestic and European competitions. Raskin’s playing style is aggressive, with an emphasis on pressing and disrupting the opposition, and Mulligan’s similar attributes could make him a natural backup in that role.
Halliday, in his assessment of Mulligan’s potential, drew comparisons to Luke McCowan, another former Dundee player who has made an impressive transition to Celtic. Since joining Celtic, McCowan has played an important role in their midfield, offering energy, creativity, and tactical intelligence. Halliday believes that Mulligan could follow a similar path if given the right environment to develop.
“[Nils Koppen] mentioned homegrown talent,” Halliday said. “See your Mulligans and Lyall Camerons, I’m not saying signing them is going to win Rangers the league. But see what [Luke] McCowan is doing for Celtic? Get these two boys for proper squad depth, they will play games and do well for you.”
This comparison is significant because it highlights the increasing importance of homegrown players in the Scottish Premiership’s biggest teams. Celtic’s successful integration of McCowan has demonstrated the benefits of signing players who already have experience in the league and can immediately adapt to the demands of playing for a top club. Rangers, by targeting players like Mulligan and Cameron, appear to be adopting a similar strategy.
The upcoming clash between Rangers and Dundee at Dens Park will provide a further opportunity to assess Mulligan’s potential. With Rangers’ interim manager Barry Ferguson leading the team, this match could be crucial in determining whether the Ibrox club decides to push for Mulligan’s signature. A strong performance from the midfielder would only reinforce the argument that he is ready for a move to a bigger club.
From a financial standpoint, signing Mulligan on a free transfer would be a logical move for Rangers. Given that he is out of contract in the summer, it would allow the club to strengthen their squad without spending a transfer fee—an important factor given the financial constraints that often come with Scottish football. While Mulligan may not be a marquee signing, he would add depth and potential for future growth, which aligns with Rangers’ apparent long-term recruitment vision.
However, the key question remains whether Mulligan is ready to make the jump to a club with the expectations and pressure that come with playing for Rangers. While he has shown great promise at Dundee, playing for one of Scotland’s biggest clubs is an entirely different challenge. He would need to improve his technical ability, particularly his passing and decision-making under pressure, to thrive at Ibrox.
At just 22 years old, Mulligan still has plenty of time to develop and refine his game. If Rangers do decide to move for him, he would likely be given time to adjust and work his way into the team rather than being thrown into the starting lineup immediately. If he can adapt to the demands of playing for Rangers, he could prove to be a valuable asset in the long run.
Ultimately, Rangers’ interest in Mulligan reflects their broader strategy of targeting young, homegrown players who can add depth to the squad and potentially grow into key contributors. Whether or not he makes the move remains to be seen, but if he continues to perform well for Dundee in the coming weeks, the calls for Rangers to sign him will only grow louder.