Glasgow Rangers started their Premiership season on a disappointing note, failing to score and dropping two crucial points in a 0-0 draw against Hearts at Tynecastle. This result underscores the areas that Philippe Clement needs to strengthen before the summer transfer window closes.
There were opportunities created during the match, but the front three offered little in terms of attacking threat, with the Gers managing only three shots on target over the entire 90 minutes.
This level of performance won’t secure titles, especially with Cyriel Dessers leading the line, despite speculation that he might leave the Ibrox side during the summer break.
**Cyriel Dessers’ stats against Hearts**
The Nigerian striker may have scored 22 goals last season, a respectable tally on the surface.
However, a closer look at his stats reveals that he should have scored 30 or more goals, as he missed 27 clear chances in the top flight alone—a staggering figure.
Despite failing to strengthen his attacking options before the season began, Clement continued to rely on Dessers against Hearts.
Once again, it was a disappointing performance. A more clinical forward could have scored a hat-trick with the chances Dessers had, as he hit the woodwork and missed two more crucial opportunities.
The 29-year-old had fewer touches than goalkeeper Jack Butland during the game and completed only seven passes, indicating that he was barely involved.
There’s still time for the Belgian tactician to sign another center-forward before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
The 50-year-old manager has received a boost with a fresh update regarding a player who was on their radar when the window first opened in June.
**Rangers learn price tag for Kosovan striker**
A few months ago, Rangers were strongly linked with Rapid Bucuresti striker Albion Rrahmani, and it seemed the Light Blues were close to securing a deal for the player.
In the following weeks, the rumors quieted down, and it appeared that Clement had moved on from the striker. However, a new update from Romania has reignited the possibility.
According to Pro Sport, the Romanian club has set a price tag for the striker. They are asking for around €6m (£5m) to part with their star player this summer.
The report also states that Rangers are preparing to make an offer for Rrahmani, now fully aware of what it will take to secure his signing.
Could this lead Clement to finally make a concrete bid to strengthen his attacking options? He should certainly be considering it after last weekend’s stalemate against Hearts.
**Albion Rrahmani’s 2023/24 season in numbers**
The Light Blues have been in need of a consistent goal-scorer, with only Alfredo Morelos regularly posing a threat since the club returned to the top flight in 2016.
In 30 matches for Rapid last season, Rrahmani scored an impressive 19 goals and provided five assists, showing that he can also create opportunities for others.
This goal tally means he found the net once every 1.5 matches. In comparison, Dessers scored once every 2.5 matches, highlighting who would be the more clinical option in front of goal.
| Comparing Rrahmani & Dessers domestically during 2023/24 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Metric | Rrahmani | Dessers |
| Goals | 17 | 16 |
| Assists | 5 | 4 |
| Big chances created | 13 | 8 |
| Big chances missed | 18 | 27 |
| Successful dribbles per game | 1.2 | 0.4 |
| Key passes per game | 2 | 1.4 |
Among his teammates, Rrahmani unsurprisingly ranked first for goals and assists (22 combined), second for shots on target per game (1.3), first for big chances created (13), and first for key passes per match (2). These statistics clearly show that he would be an ideal all-round option for Clement to rely on next season.
Rrahmani’s exceptional form from last season seems to have continued into the current campaign. After just two matches in the 2024/25 Romanian Super Liga season, he has already scored once, provided an assist, averaged two key passes per game, and completed 71% of his dribble attempts.
These impressive statistics are likely to improve as the season progresses. The question now is whether he will be at Rangers by the end of the transfer window.
**Why Albion Rrahmani would be a good signing for Rangers**
Kai Watson, founder of Rangers Journal, praised the forward midway through last season, even before the Light Blues showed interest, saying:
“Kosovar international Albion Rrahmani has been on fire in Romania this season. He’s another tall, powerful striker who definitely knows where the back of the net is. His movement across defenders is what gets him a lot of his chances. He has real positional intelligence, which, some may say, Rangers have lacked this season.”
Fast-forward nine months, and it seems Rrahmani has only improved. He would be a more clinical option up front compared to Dessers, without a doubt.
Indeed, Rrahmani missed nine fewer big chances domestically compared to Dessers, highlighting his superior finishing ability. Additionally, Rrahmani created 13 big chances for his teammates last season, while Dessers created only eight, despite playing ten more matches than the Rapid striker.
Clement may need to sell another first-team player or two to raise funds for future signings, but there’s no doubt that Rrahmani would be a valuable addition to Rangers before the transfer deadline.
He wouldn’t just bring goals but also trouble opposition defenses with his movement and ability to create opportunities in the final third.
While £5m might seem like a substantial sum, if Rrahmani can help lead the Light Blues to the league title this season, it would be money well spent.
The next few weeks could see significant changes to the squad, but Clement cannot afford to continue relying on Dessers, who misses more opportunities than he converts.
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