'Absolutely Paramount' - Journo shares priority position for Clement to address at Rangers

Rangers manager Philippe Clement should prioritise signing a defensive midfielder in this summer’s transfer window, according to Joshua Barrie.

Speaking with Derek Clark on the Rangers Review (15 July), Barrie identified the number six role as the most important for Clement to implement the style of play he wants to utilise at Ibrox next season.

The Gers have already signed Connor Barron on a free transfer and made Mohamed Diomande’s loan deal permanent, but Barrie believes they still need an out-and-out deep-lying playmaker in that position.

He said: “What Rangers have lacked for a long, long time is someone who can control games, someone who looks really natural at the base of midfield controlling the tempo and trying to open up defences, being the midfielder that connects the play.

“For me, a number six absolutely paramount, because Clement needs the type of technical players to play through the pitch quickly.”

Defensive midfield signing could unlock Rangers potential

The Gers have already seen several defensive-minded midfielders move in and out of the Ibrox doors so far this summer, with more expected to follow in either direction before the transfer window is done.

Converting Diomande’s loan from FC Nordsjaelland into a permanent transfer for £4.3million (Sky Sports, 26 January) suggests he’ll be one of the first names on the team sheet next season.

However, the Ivorian would be better suited lining up next to a number-six type player, a profile that no one in the Light Blues squad either this season or last really fits the bill of.

Connor Barron’s arrival from Aberdeen is promising on this front, but the 21-year-old is not yet the clear answer to the problem created by the Gers’ lack of a deep-lying playmaker.

It remains to be seen if the departures of Ryan Jack and John Lundstram on free transfers prove to be wise moves, but if Clement can bring in the ideal type of defensive midfielder to replace the pair, it will be seen as a shrewd transfer by the Ibrox faithful.

In other Rangers news, the club could be set for a £5m+ setback after an official transfer announcement.

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