Glasgow Rangers have taken giant steps in the transfer market in recent days, bringing in two new signings.
Russell Martin has worked tirelessly of late to secure the signatures of both Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth and Peterborough United defender Emmanuel Fernandez.
Rothwell played under Martin during the 2023/24 campaign on loan with Southampton, scoring four times in 20 games as the club secured promotion to the Premier League.
Fernandez might not be as established a player, as the Posh struggled in League One during 2024/25, but his potential is limitless. Martin may have unearthed a gem in the 23-year-old.
With these two joining Max Aarons and Lyall Cameron as new arrivals this summer, Martin is slowly building a squad which he hopes will be capable of winning the Premiership title and progressing into the Champions League group stages.
More signings will be required over the next few weeks in order for the boss to achieve this and several others have been linked.
The current squad is short of wingers, however, and this must be acted upon swiftly ahead of the first competitive match against Panathinaikos in a few weeks.
Martin won’t be able to call on the services of Vaclav Cerny, however, who returned to his parent club at the end of the season.
Vaclav Cerny’s Rangers statistics
The Czech winger joined from Wolfsburg last summer as Philippe Clement sought to strengthen his attacking options.
While the first few weeks were tough for the 27-year-old, he settled into life at Ibrox nicely and ended up scoring 18 goals and grabbing nine assists for the Light Blues across 52 matches.
In the top flight, Cerny registered 2.9 shots per game for the Gers, while averaging 2.5 key passes and succeeding with 1.4 dribbles per game against Scottish opposition.
It was in the Europa League where the winger truly showcased his class. Not only did he help the club reach the quarter-finals of the competition, but Cerny registered eight goal contributions – six goals and two assists – along the way.
Despite this success in Glasgow, a permanent move was never really in the question. Wolfsburg were looking to recoup the money that they spent on him in order to sanction a sale.
That fee? £8m. Although this was reported back in January, it looks as though the boat has sailed regarding a move to bring Cerny back to Ibrox.
Whatever happens this summer, bringing in one or two wingers on either flank should be a main priority for the manager.
As it stands, only Ross McCausland, Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo are his wide options. One fell behind Cerny in the pecking order, one was injured for the majority of the season and Matondo spent the second half of the 2024/25 campaign out on loan.
Could Martin be eyeing up a reunion with a former player of his in the coming weeks?
Rangers search for a new winger
The Ibrox side have been linked with their fair share of wide men over the previous few weeks. Kwame Poku was the notable link, but he ended up making the move to QPR.
Elsewhere, Tyrhys Dolan and Moussa Djenepo were both linked with moves to Glasgow a few weeks ago, but nothing materialised.
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With time running out before the clash against the Greek giants, Martin now needs to find a player or two who can settle into his way of playing.
According to Sky Sports, David Brooks looked like he was set to join West Bromwich Albion, but this move is now off.
This has opened the door for the £50k-per-week winger to reunite with Martin in Glasgow. Of course, the Baggies target played under the Rangers boss during a spell at Southampton in the 2023/24 campaign.
He has just one year left on his current deal with the Cherries, which means the Light Blues might be on their way to securing a bargain.
If so, Brooks could be an excellent addition and hopefully ease the blow of losing Cerny.
Why Rangers must sign David Brooks
Brooks made the big time when he moved to Bournemouth in 2018. His first season saw the Welshman scored seven goals and grab five assists in the Premier League, certainly proving his class.
Indeed, Eddie Howe, his boss at the time, lauded Brooks as “sublime” after an impressive display against Brighton.
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2024/25
33
2
2
2023/24
38
5
9
2022/23
6
0
0
2021/22
9
3
0
2020/21
39
6
7
2019/20
9
1
0
2018/19
33
7
5
2017/18
33
3
6
2016/17
4
0
2
Truth be told, he hasn’t quite hit those heights since, albeit while bravely battling back after he was diagnosed with Stage Two Hodgkin lymphoma in October 2021. Across 29 top-flight appearances last term, the winger scored twice.
Despite starting just nine times, he still averaged 0.9 shots per game, while also creating three big chances and averaging 0.7 key passes each match.
If given regular chances in the starting XI, Brooks would make for an exciting signing, no doubt about that.
Under Martin at the Saints in 2023/24, the Welsh star grabbed five assists, created eight big chances and succeeded with over 50% of his dribble attempts.
These statistics were recorded in the second tier, but it shows just how effective Brooks can be if he gets a chance.
It would take some effort to match the tally recorded by Cerny last season, but Brooks has already proven his class in the Premier League during his career.
With strengths that include key passes, through balls and holding onto the ball, the winger could dominate defenders north of the border, that’s for sure.
The only sticking point could be the fee. But as mentioned, he has a single year left on his deal, which puts the Ibrox side in a solid negotiating position.
Considering Martin has worked with the 35-cap winger before, it is a signing that makes sense for all parties. Hopefully it can be sewn up sooner rather than later.
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