Deadline Day Dominoes: Danny Röhl’s Rangers Hunt for Final Piece of January Puzzle
GLASGOW — As the clock ticks toward the 11:00 PM deadline, the atmosphere at Ibrox is one of calculated anticipation. Rangers head coach Danny Röhl has already overseen a significant restructuring of his squad this January, but the final 24 hours of the window will determine whether the Light Blues have the firepower necessary to sustain a serious title challenge. With three fresh faces already through the door, Röhl is publicly composed but privately desperate for one specific addition: a clinical number nine.
The January Foundation: Three in the Building
Rangers have been among the most proactive clubs in the Scottish Premiership this month, moving quickly to address structural weaknesses. The recruitment strategy has leaned heavily on continental talent, emphasizing youth and technical proficiency.
- Andreas Skov Olsen: The headline arrival, the Danish international winger joined on loan from Wolfsburg. Crucially, the deal includes an option to buy, suggesting Rangers view him as a long-term fixture on the flank.
- Tochi Chukwuani: A £4 million investment was made to bring the Danish midfielder from Sturm Graz. His physical presence is expected to provide the “steel” Rangers have lacked in transition.
- Tuur Rommens: The Belgian left-back arrived from Westerlo for a fee of £3 million, providing much-needed competition and a youthful succession plan for the defensive line.
The Striker Search: The “Domino Effect”
Despite these reinforcements, a glaring issue remains. Current striking options Youssef Chermiti and Bojan Miovski have struggled for consistency, tallying a combined total of just seven Premiership goals this season. This lack of productivity has forced Röhl to look south of the border for an immediate solution.
The primary target is Southampton’s Cameron Archer. The 24-year-old is reportedly keen on a loan move to Ibrox, and an agreement is already in place between the two clubs. However, the move is currently stalled by a “transfer domino” involving Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves are pushing to sign Adam Armstrong from Southampton; if that deal is finalized, the Saints will likely sanction Archer’s move to Glasgow. Should this sequence align before the 11:00 PM cutoff, Archer will become Röhl’s fourth and final major recruit of the winter.
[Table: Rangers Winter Window – The Ins and Outs]
| Player | Position | Status | Type/Fee |
| Andreas Skov Olsen | Winger | IN | Loan (Option to Buy) |
| Tochi Chukwuani | Midfielder | IN | £4m (Permanent) |
| Tuur Rommens | Left-Back | IN | £3m (Permanent) |
| Kieron Dowell | Midfielder | OUT | Permanent (Hull City) |
| Cameron Archer | Forward | PENDING | Loan (Southampton) |
| Danilo | Forward | EXIT? | Loan (NEC Nijmegen) |
Looking Toward Summer: The Naderi Agreement
While the search for an immediate goalscorer continues, Rangers have already secured a deal for the future. A verbal agreement has been reached with Hansa Rostock for 22-year-old striker Ryan Naderi. However, fans will have to wait until the summer to see him in blue. The German third-tier side has refused to let their star man depart mid-season, necessitating a delayed arrival that leaves Röhl with a short-term vacancy to fill.
Clearing the Decks: Expected Exits
To balance the books and the squad hierarchy, several outgoings are expected. Kieron Dowell has already departed for Hull City, while youngsters Lyall Cameron and Findlay Curtis have moved to Aberdeen and Kilmarnock respectively to gain first-team experience.
The most notable potential exit involves Brazilian striker Danilo. Having failed to start a match since mid-December, a loan move to NEC Nijmegen is on the table. However, the club is reportedly unwilling to sanction his departure unless the Cameron Archer deal—or a suitable alternative—is finalized first. Additionally, defender Clinton Nsiala is expected to join Westerlo on a loan-to-buy basis.
Röhl’s Stoic Stance
Following a frustrating goalless draw against Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday, Danny Röhl remained pragmatic about the closing hours of the window. While he acknowledged the desire for more quality, he maintained faith in his existing group.
“First, we will see what happens tomorrow,” Röhl stated. “If something happens, I’m happy. If not, I carry on with my group. They have done a good job so far; this is our job to do.”
Despite his calm exterior, the stakes are high. Without a new “Number Nine,” Rangers risk a “desperate scramble” or, worse, a goal drought that could derail their pursuit of silverware.