Incoming, Outgoing.
Picture the scene; preseason 2006/2007 – Rangers appoint a supposedly world-class manager. A man responsible for three French titles and a fantastic run in the Champions League with his then-side Olympique Lyonnais. His budget, however, is not high for his new club and his signings are by and large unexciting and unheard of. The fans hold hope purely on the strength of his own name, and not on that of the players he has brought in. Cue; failure.
Now fast-forward a year down the line. New manager, Walter Smith, having brought stability to the club domestically, is now heavily dabbling in the transfer market. Previously signing Thomson from Hibernian, Webster on loan from Wigan, Gow from Falkirk, Broadfoot from St Mirren, Weir from Everton and Ehiogu from Middlebrough, the former Scot had already reinforced the side significantly.
So, now we find ourselves in summer 2007, and another transfer window. And further players are secured.
First off was Jean Claude Darcheville. This former Bordeaux striker is not quite in the prime of his youth any more, given his age of 32, but he was a free transfer from aforementioned French club who are a well-respected football team, and have negotiated passage to the Champions League this upcoming season, with more than a little help from their-now departed striker. Previously mooted for a move to Ibrox around three seasons ago, JCD is known as a fairly zippy and strong player, who might not be the tallest in the world but makes up for it with tenacity and guile.
His previous spell in the UK was disastrous for him professionally and personally. He was aged around 19 when he joined English side Nottingham Forest, but his move to Britain was badly affected when tragedy was bestowed him on him prior to relocation. His girlfriend and two children were sadly taken from him in a dreadful car accident, and while he now cites youth and immaturity as the reasons he performed below his best, it is safe to say he is merely hiding the real reason. And understandably so; not a subject the poor fellow would wish to use an ‘excuse’.
Nevertheless, he is older and wiser and has shown great mental strength to recover from that travesty to have a very good career indeed. He is not an out-and-out scorer, for he is more of a holding striker, ala Prso, and yet has still managed a productive tally of one in three. Not bad in the low-scoring French leagues for a player not used as a poacher. His experience, pace, strength, and goals will stand Rangers in good stead.
Another player confirmed as a blue is American DaMarcus Beasley. When this link first broke, there were very few Rangers fans displeased. Aged only 25, Beasley has almost 60 caps for the USA, and has played at the highest levels for Dutch giants PSV. He was part of the Eindhoven side who pushed Italian CL veterans AC Milan so close in the 2004/2005 season during their epic semi final only to be undone by a final minute winner from Ambrosini. However, for reasons best known to the Dutch, they no longer considered him a first team pick for them, and his loan spell with Manchester City did not lead to a permanent contract with the English side. This was probably more down to the volatility of that club at present, with a takeover bid ensuing and new management following the sacking of Stuart Pearce. This left the door of opportunity open to Rangers to capture such an experienced yet brilliantly-aged international for a low price of £700,000. What are Rangers getting? An extremely quick, tricky and experienced left winger whose pace will beat players and who can score as well as cross the ball accurately. Compare him to Sean Wright Philips of Chelsea for a comparison, but add experience and performances at almost all levels of the CL. As well as many international caps. Yes, Beasley is criticised for being ‘lightweight’ but it has not hurt a certain Japanese player of the year who plies his trade at the wrong side of Glasgow.
Beasley is a fantastic signing; a well known player who has everything to offer, his best years ahead of him, electric pace, and experience of the highest levels. All for less than a million. Not bad eh?
Another player who looks like he may become a Rangers is another Frenchman; Julien Faubert. Aged 24, he also hails from JCD’s former side Bordeaux, and is highly rated by most who know of him. Another player experienced in the CL, Faubert is an incredibly quick right-winger who can get a goal or two, with only the brilliant Franck Ribery keeping him out of the French side. The problem is his club’s demands for him; he has publicly stated his desire to join Rangers, but Bordeaux wish around £6.5M for him, to Rangers’ £4M offer thus far. The stalemate has led to admittedly unprofessional player from him, in that he has gone on strike from his present employers. He wants his move, and he wants it badly. Rangers want him just as much, but are they willing to increase the offer?
That situation, financially, is echoed slightly with regards the Lee McCulloch affair. Rangers fans are generally underwhelmed by him as a prospect, and do not consider him worth the reported £2.5M Wigan wish for their striker. The seeming offer for him has not risen above £1.5M. The overriding question many Gers fans ask is ‘why do we even want him’? He is not considered an especially talented player, or a quick one, and yet Smith seems very interested in signing him.
Another player a firm offer has been made for is Kilmarnock’s promising prospect Steven Naismith; valued at £2M by his Rugby Park bosses, the most recent bid Rangers have put in for the young striker is £350,000 now, and £350,000 in a year. This was rejected outright.
And the last strong link is Cuellar of Osasuna. Valued at £3M+, Rangers current offer is around £1.7M. He is a centre-back, and has also stated a desire to join Rangers.
Other links from previous weeks are shading into the background, as happens during the Silly Season. Balaban has disappeared off the radar, Pizarro was lost a long time ago to Chelsea, and nothing more was heard about many of the others either.
Lastly, Swedish defender Karl Svensson has departed for £700,000 to newly-promoted French side Caen. He did not quite settle at Ibrox, and while there was arguably potential there, Smith did not consider him as first-choice material. So, it was probably better for all concerned that he move on, and he does so with our best wishes.
Do you not just love transfer windows…
Now fast-forward a year down the line. New manager, Walter Smith, having brought stability to the club domestically, is now heavily dabbling in the transfer market. Previously signing Thomson from Hibernian, Webster on loan from Wigan, Gow from Falkirk, Broadfoot from St Mirren, Weir from Everton and Ehiogu from Middlebrough, the former Scot had already reinforced the side significantly.
So, now we find ourselves in summer 2007, and another transfer window. And further players are secured.
First off was Jean Claude Darcheville. This former Bordeaux striker is not quite in the prime of his youth any more, given his age of 32, but he was a free transfer from aforementioned French club who are a well-respected football team, and have negotiated passage to the Champions League this upcoming season, with more than a little help from their-now departed striker. Previously mooted for a move to Ibrox around three seasons ago, JCD is known as a fairly zippy and strong player, who might not be the tallest in the world but makes up for it with tenacity and guile.
His previous spell in the UK was disastrous for him professionally and personally. He was aged around 19 when he joined English side Nottingham Forest, but his move to Britain was badly affected when tragedy was bestowed him on him prior to relocation. His girlfriend and two children were sadly taken from him in a dreadful car accident, and while he now cites youth and immaturity as the reasons he performed below his best, it is safe to say he is merely hiding the real reason. And understandably so; not a subject the poor fellow would wish to use an ‘excuse’.
Nevertheless, he is older and wiser and has shown great mental strength to recover from that travesty to have a very good career indeed. He is not an out-and-out scorer, for he is more of a holding striker, ala Prso, and yet has still managed a productive tally of one in three. Not bad in the low-scoring French leagues for a player not used as a poacher. His experience, pace, strength, and goals will stand Rangers in good stead.
Another player confirmed as a blue is American DaMarcus Beasley. When this link first broke, there were very few Rangers fans displeased. Aged only 25, Beasley has almost 60 caps for the USA, and has played at the highest levels for Dutch giants PSV. He was part of the Eindhoven side who pushed Italian CL veterans AC Milan so close in the 2004/2005 season during their epic semi final only to be undone by a final minute winner from Ambrosini. However, for reasons best known to the Dutch, they no longer considered him a first team pick for them, and his loan spell with Manchester City did not lead to a permanent contract with the English side. This was probably more down to the volatility of that club at present, with a takeover bid ensuing and new management following the sacking of Stuart Pearce. This left the door of opportunity open to Rangers to capture such an experienced yet brilliantly-aged international for a low price of £700,000. What are Rangers getting? An extremely quick, tricky and experienced left winger whose pace will beat players and who can score as well as cross the ball accurately. Compare him to Sean Wright Philips of Chelsea for a comparison, but add experience and performances at almost all levels of the CL. As well as many international caps. Yes, Beasley is criticised for being ‘lightweight’ but it has not hurt a certain Japanese player of the year who plies his trade at the wrong side of Glasgow.
Beasley is a fantastic signing; a well known player who has everything to offer, his best years ahead of him, electric pace, and experience of the highest levels. All for less than a million. Not bad eh?
Another player who looks like he may become a Rangers is another Frenchman; Julien Faubert. Aged 24, he also hails from JCD’s former side Bordeaux, and is highly rated by most who know of him. Another player experienced in the CL, Faubert is an incredibly quick right-winger who can get a goal or two, with only the brilliant Franck Ribery keeping him out of the French side. The problem is his club’s demands for him; he has publicly stated his desire to join Rangers, but Bordeaux wish around £6.5M for him, to Rangers’ £4M offer thus far. The stalemate has led to admittedly unprofessional player from him, in that he has gone on strike from his present employers. He wants his move, and he wants it badly. Rangers want him just as much, but are they willing to increase the offer?
That situation, financially, is echoed slightly with regards the Lee McCulloch affair. Rangers fans are generally underwhelmed by him as a prospect, and do not consider him worth the reported £2.5M Wigan wish for their striker. The seeming offer for him has not risen above £1.5M. The overriding question many Gers fans ask is ‘why do we even want him’? He is not considered an especially talented player, or a quick one, and yet Smith seems very interested in signing him.
Another player a firm offer has been made for is Kilmarnock’s promising prospect Steven Naismith; valued at £2M by his Rugby Park bosses, the most recent bid Rangers have put in for the young striker is £350,000 now, and £350,000 in a year. This was rejected outright.
And the last strong link is Cuellar of Osasuna. Valued at £3M+, Rangers current offer is around £1.7M. He is a centre-back, and has also stated a desire to join Rangers.
Other links from previous weeks are shading into the background, as happens during the Silly Season. Balaban has disappeared off the radar, Pizarro was lost a long time ago to Chelsea, and nothing more was heard about many of the others either.
Lastly, Swedish defender Karl Svensson has departed for £700,000 to newly-promoted French side Caen. He did not quite settle at Ibrox, and while there was arguably potential there, Smith did not consider him as first-choice material. So, it was probably better for all concerned that he move on, and he does so with our best wishes.
Do you not just love transfer windows…
posted by RangersMedia @ 1:48 PM
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