Glasgow Rangers suffered another pre-season defeat over the weekend, losing 2-0 at Murrayfield.
While pre-season results aren’t critical, it was concerning to see several players, who seemed likely to leave Ibrox this summer, in the Rangers starting XI. Philippe Clement urgently needs to sign a few more players before the Premiership opener against Hearts. Could he be targeting the Championship for new signings in the coming days?
Rangers are reportedly interested in Championship winger Morgan Whittaker. Journalist Pete O’Rourke suggests that Rangers are “readying a new move” to sign Whittaker from Plymouth Argyle this summer. In January 2023, Michael Beale had an offer rejected by Swansea City, then Whittaker’s parent club, but it appears the interest has been rekindled.
The Light Blues need quality on the flanks, and Whittaker, with a £15m asking price, would provide Clement with an extra edge out wide. This wouldn’t be the first time the club has signed someone from the Championship, potentially replicating their successful acquisition of Todd Cantwell.
Why Morgan Whittaker could be Todd Cantwell 2.0
Although Beale had a challenging ten-month tenure at Ibrox, he did make some good signings, including Cantwell. Since arriving from Norwich City 18 months ago, Cantwell has made 64 appearances, scoring 14 goals and providing 12 assists. Despite occasional inconsistency due to playing out of position, he remains a valuable player when fit and in form.
Whittaker could address the club’s struggle for goals from wide areas last season. For Plymouth, he scored an impressive 20 goals in all competitions and added nine assists, making him a potent threat on the right flank. Compared to his peers in leagues similar to the English Championship, Whittaker ranked in the top 7% for non-penalty goals (0.43) and the top 2% for total shots (3.78) per 90 minutes, highlighting his effectiveness in the final third.
Former Plymouth manager Steven Schumacher praised Whittaker upon his permanent signing, calling him “one of the most exciting prospects in the EFL.” Given his impressive season, this assessment seems well-founded.