Greatest CM since Aribo: Rangers want to sign the SPFL’s “best midfielder”
By 247sportcity | Thursday, January 22, 2026
GLASGOW – The blue half of Glasgow is currently buzzing with anticipation as the January transfer window enters its final, decisive stretch. While much of the focus at Ibrox has recently been on outgoings, specifically the Turkish interest in Nicolas Raskin, the narrative has taken a sharp turn toward a sensational domestic recruitment.
Rangers are reportedly “determined” to secure the services of Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt, a player currently being hailed as the most impactful central operator in the Scottish Premiership since the departure of Joe Aribo.1 According to journalist Andy Devlin, Gers manager Danny Röhl is a massive admirer of the 25-year-old and sees him as the transformative piece needed to regain dominance in the middle of the park.
The Raskin Rejection: A Midfield Boost
Before the pursuit of Watt could truly accelerate, Rangers had a significant hurdle to overcome regarding their existing squad. Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin was recently the subject of intense speculation linking him with a move to Turkish giants Besiktas.
However, in a move that has delighted the Rangers faithful, the Belgium international has reportedly made it clear that he has no interest in a move to the Süper Lig at this stage of his career. While this keeps a key asset at Ibrox, it hasn’t satiated Danny Röhl’s hunger for reinforcements. Despite already bringing in Tochi Chukwuani from Sturm Graz earlier this month, the German coach believes the engine room still requires a “top-tier” domestic upgrade.
The Scouting Report: Who is Elliot Watt?
Speaking on the Go Ballistic podcast, Andy Devlin broke the news that has sent the Rangers support into a frenzy. Elliot Watt, the heartbeat of a thriving Motherwell side under Jens Berthel Askou, is the primary name on Röhl’s wishlist.
“Elliot Watt is a player Rangers are looking at,” Devlin confirmed. “Whether he makes the move in the summer, I think that is one to watch. Röhl is an admirer of Watt, so when you have provincial teams doing well, the manager is going to attract attention, and it’s the same with the players.”
Watt’s current contract at Fir Park runs until the summer of 2026, though Motherwell hold an option to extend that by a further 12 months. This gives the Steelmen a strong negotiating position, but with Rangers’ interest intensifying, a “buy now” strategy might be the only way for the Light Blues to avoid a bidding war in the summer.
[Table: The Midfield King — How Watt Eclipses the Rest]
The statistical profile of Elliot Watt this season is nothing short of staggering. When compared to Nicolas Raskin—statistically Rangers’ best performing central midfielder this term—the Motherwell man appears to be operating on a different level.
| 25/26 Premiership Metric | Elliot Watt (Motherwell) | Nicolas Raskin (Rangers) |
| Goals | 4 | 2 |
| Touches Per Game | 102.9 | 73.3 |
| Ball Recoveries Per Game | 8.6 | 4.2 |
| Tackles + Interceptions | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Key Passes Per Game | 1.4 | 1.5 |
Stats via Sofascore / Transfermarkt
The most eye-catching figure in the data is Watt’s 102.9 touches per game. This indicates a player who doesn’t just participate in matches but dictates them entirely. In contrast, Raskin’s 73.3 touches suggest a more reactive role. Furthermore, Watt’s 8.6 ball recoveries per game—more than double Raskin’s output—proves that he is a defensive monster as well as a creative hub.
The Ghost of Joe Aribo
For many Rangers supporters, the gold standard for a modern Ibrox midfielder remains Joe Aribo. The Nigerian international was sold to Southampton in 2022 for £6 million, a fee that remains the club’s most significant midfield export in two decades. Aribo was a unicorn—a player with 26 goals and 25 assists who possessed the physical power to dominate the SPFL and the technical grace to score in a Europa League final.
However, the “Elliot Watt hype” is beginning to suggest that Rangers may have finally found a successor. RangersJournal creator Kai Watson recently described Watt as the “best midfielder in the league,” a claim that is backed up by his superior metrics in almost every defensive and offensive category.
If Rangers “splash the cash” now, they aren’t just buying a player; they are buying the physical presence and final-third threat that has been missing since Aribo headed south to the Premier League.
Why Waiting Until Summer is a Risk
The dilemma for the Rangers board is whether to strike now or wait for the summer window. Andy Devlin noted that while the interest is “concrete,” the timing remains the big question.
Waiting until the summer could be a catastrophic error for three reasons:
- Competition: Watt’s “scary” stats mean that English Championship and lower-half Premier League clubs will inevitably take notice if he finishes the season at this pace.
- The Title Race: Rangers are currently locked in a fierce battle at the top of the table. A player who averages nearly 9 ball recoveries and 103 touches a game could be the statistical “cheat code” needed to clinch the trophy.
- Price Inflation: If Watt leads Motherwell to a European spot or a high finish, his valuation will only skyrocket.
The “Rohl” Factor
Danny Röhl has proven to be a manager who values high-energy, high-IQ footballers. His admiration for Watt is reportedly based on the Scotsman’s ability to “manage” the tempo of a game—a trait that is often a missing ingredient in the high-pressure environment of Ibrox.
By signing Watt, Röhl would be pairing the technical stability of Raskin with the sheer volume and defensive tenacity of Watt. It would, on paper, create the most formidable midfield partnership in Scotland.
The Final Verdict: A Midfield Revolution
The term “greatest since Aribo” is not one that should be used lightly, but Elliot Watt is earning that comparison every week at Fir Park. He is a player entering his prime at 25, possesses a homegrown understanding of the league’s physical demands, and has the data to suggest he is the “complete” modern midfielder.
Rangers have a chance to make a statement. By paying Motherwell’s asking price this month, they wouldn’t just be strengthening their squad—they would be securing the heart of their team for the next five years. The fans want “Mr. Best in the League” at Ibrox. It’s over to the board to see if they can make it happen.