Glasgow Rangers are still making up for the mistakes of previous regimes, with even the most recent summer window brought into sharp focus, considering the likes of Joe Rothwell could be in line for a swift exit from Ibrox this month.
The 30-year-old joins a recent list of signings from England’s EFL who have failed to take flight in Glasgow, with centre-back Ben Davies also falling into that category, alongside Tom Lawrence.
Those two men have since departed, although 2023 arrival, Kieran Dowell, remains on the books despite his limited role in recent years, having surprisingly not been moved on following his return to Rangers over the summer.
Yet to even feature under new Gers boss Danny Rohl, the left-footer is likely to move on before too long, with a loan exit back to the EFL having been mooted of late.
Such a failed deal has been brought into sharper focus considering the lack of a real creative spark in Rohl’s attacking midfield unit, and while transfer moves are being touted, could the club be in for another Dowell-style disaster?
Rangers offered chance to sign new creative midfielder
It is on the flanks where much of Rangers’ focus lies at present, with reports suggesting that the Premiership side are pushing to bring Wolfsburg winger Andreas Skov Olsen to Glasgow, just a year on from his £12m move to Germany.
The belief is that the 40-cap Denmark international is keen to make the switch on a loan basis for the rest of the season, although a decision has to be made on whether the Bundesliga side will sanction that departure.
Elsewhere, meanwhile, reports from Italian outlet Calcio Spezia have revealed that Rangers are among the clubs to have been offered the chance to sign Norwegian midfielder, Emil Bohinen.
As per the report, Derby County are also in the mix for his signature, following a change of agents, with the 26-year-old yet to decide on his future amid rival interest from the Eredivisie.
The Derby-born talent is currently on loan at Serie B side Venezia from Serie S outfit, Genoa, having spent the second half of last season on loan at Frosinone.
Why Bohinen could be another Dowell for Rangers
There would, it must be said, be merits to moving for Bohinen this month, with the playmaker having previously caught the eye during his spell at Frosinone with three goals in 12 games in all.
A “box to box” midfielder in the mould of Arsenal’s Mikel Merino, in the view of talent scout Jacek Kulig, the former Norway U21 international did previously impress at Stabaek with 19 goals and assists in 73 games to kickstart his senior career.
Unfortunately, it has largely been a turbulent ride since then, amid stints in Russia and Italy, with the 6 foot 4 struggler failing to score at all for Genoa, Venezia or Salernitana.
Goals may not necessarily be his forte, but he hasn’t exactly dazzled in a creative sense either, providing just one assist in all across his spell in Serie A and Serie B.
Something of a journeyman already at the age of 26, there would be doubts over whether he could finally find a settled home at Ibrox, with there shades of Dowell about this tall, elegant, albeit flawed, midfield asset.
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Bohinen – 24/25 Serie B rank* |
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|---|---|
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Stat (per 90) |
Ranking |
|
Non-penalty goals |
Top 11% |
|
Assists |
Top 37% |
|
Shot-creating actions |
Top 40% |
|
Passes attempted |
Top 24% |
|
Pass completion |
Top 2% |
|
Tackles |
Top 38% |
|
Interceptions |
Top 24% |
|
Clearances |
Top 14% |
|
Aerial duels won |
Top 10% |
|
*vs midfielders |
|
|
via FBref |
|
Indeed, Dowell – who operates in a slightly more advanced role, yet can be deployed deeper – is another silky left-footer who thrives between the lines, albeit while having provided just five goals and assists in 38 games for the Gers to date.
Once on the books at Everton, the now 28-year-old had bounced around a string of clubs himself prior to joining the Light Blues, following a succession of loan spells away from Merseyside, having also spent a handful of seasons with Norwich City before his 2023 free transfer exit.
A record of 12 goals and six assists in 75 games for the Canaries – very much on par with Bohinen’s stint in Norway – didn’t exactly make for good reading, with the Englishman’s failure to catch fire since having perhaps been somewhat inevitable.
Like Bohinen, amid his current woes, Dowell didn’t exactly arrive at Rangers with momentum either, having missed much of 2022/23 following a knee ligament injury.
Unfortunately, the Toffees youth star simply hasn’t ever got going at Ibrox, with Rohl and co needing to be wary of securing a similar figure this month, even if offered the chance to strike.
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