Rangers being linked with a mix of experienced veterans and younger, out-of-contract players isn’t surprising, but some of these names feel like more wishful thinking than realistic targets. Given that Philippe Clement will want to put his own stamp on the squad, there’s no doubt Rangers will be active in the summer, but whether they have the financial muscle to compete with clubs in England remains to be seen.

The Striker Situation

Jamie Vardy and Danny Ings are the two most eye-catching attacking names on this list. While Vardy has had an incredible career with Leicester, he’s 38 now, and expecting him to be the same relentless forward he was five years ago would be a huge gamble. Jermain Defoe made a decent impact at Rangers in his late 30s, but that was in a team that had plenty of creativity and control in games. Would Vardy want to move to Scotland at this stage, especially when he’s still beloved at Leicester? It’s unlikely.

Danny Ings, on the other hand, was linked with Celtic in January, but nothing came of it. He has struggled for minutes at West Ham and, at 32, still has something to offer. If he did consider a move to Scotland, Celtic would be a more attractive option given their recent dominance and Champions League football. However, with Adam Idah looking like a long-term solution at Celtic, that door may be closed. That might give Rangers hope, but the wages Ings would command could still be an issue.

Midfield Options

Josh Brownhill is probably the most ambitious link for Rangers here. He’s been a key player for Burnley and, at 28, is in his prime. Reports in December suggested Rangers were ready to offer him a contract, but the same reports also named Celtic, Lazio, and Fiorentina as interested parties. If Burnley are relegated, he might have plenty of options in the English Premier League, and if that happens, it’s hard to see Rangers winning that race.

Tom Cairney is an interesting one. He’s 34 now and has spent most of his career in England, but as a Scotland international, there could be some appeal in a move north. He’s still technically gifted, but the pace and intensity of the Scottish Premiership could be an issue at his age. Massimo Luongo is in a similar boat—experienced but not playing much for Ipswich. Would either be a massive upgrade on what Rangers already have? Probably not.

Defensive Reinforcements

The defensive names on the list are a mixed bag. Axel Tuanzebe is a solid player when fit, but that’s been a big issue throughout his career. If Ipswich are relegated, he might look for a move, but fitness concerns would make him a risky signing.

Dominic Hyam is a more reliable option. The Scotland international has been a standout for Blackburn in the Championship and has the experience to slot straight into a Rangers side that needs defensive reinforcements. He would be one of the smarter signings on this list, but again, the question is whether he would leave England for Rangers when he could easily stay in the Championship or even get a lower-end Premier League move.

CJ Egan-Riley is another interesting one. He was highly rated at Hibs, and Burnley haven’t secured him on a new deal yet. He’s younger and has room to develop, which might make him a more sensible long-term target than someone like Jonny Evans, who was linked in January but, at 37, doesn’t seem like a signing that would move Rangers forward.

Jimmy Dunne is a name Hearts fans will know well, and he’s been a key player for QPR. He’s been a regular in the Championship for four years now, and his Scottish connections could make him an appealing option for Rangers. He’s not the most glamorous name, but he could do a job in the Scottish Premiership.

Goalkeeper Situation

With Jack Butland potentially attracting interest from English clubs in the summer, Rangers might need to plan for a new goalkeeper. There are three names here: Daniel Iversen, Freddie Woodman, and Angus Gunn.

Woodman has done well for Preston, and his previous experience in Scotland (with Aberdeen and Kilmarnock) could make him a comfortable fit. Angus Gunn would probably be the most high-profile option, given he’s Scotland’s current number one. However, if Norwich get promoted, he may have no reason to leave.

Daniel Iversen is an interesting one. He’s been with Leicester since 2018 but has spent most of his time out on loan. He’s now 27 and coming into his prime. If Rangers are looking for a long-term number one, he might be worth considering, but much would depend on Butland’s future.

Overall Assessment

This list is a mix of sensible targets, unrealistic long shots, and players past their best. Some of these names, like Brownhill and Gunn, will have plenty of offers from England, making it hard to see them moving to Rangers unless they were particularly keen on playing in Scotland. Others, like Vardy and Evans, feel like players who would have been great signings five years ago but are now probably beyond their peak.

The most realistic names? Probably CJ Egan-Riley, Jimmy Dunne, and Daniel Iversen. Dominic Hyam would be a strong addition if Rangers could pull it off. But if Rangers are hoping to close the gap on Celtic, they’ll need to do better than picking up players past their prime.

Do you see any of these as actual threats to Celtic, or is this just another case of Rangers fans getting carried away?