'Unfair' - Manager blames Rangers for last-gasp transfer failure, 'I was gutted'

Rangers were blamed by Southampton manager Russell Martin after winger Sam Edozie’s Deadline Day loan move to Ibrox fell through.

Speaking to the Southern Daily Echo (1 September), Martin said that the failure of Edozie’s last-gasp switch to Glasgow was on the Gers’ end, leaving too little time for the 21-year-old to find another club.

Southampton had reportedly set significant demands for the Gers to meet in order to approve a loan north of the border for Edozie [The Sun, 1 September], and thus the move did not happen despite the winger being “keen” to join [The Athletic, 31 August].

Martin said: “What frustrated me was how late it fell through and it wasn’t on our end.

“I think it’s a bit unfair to Sam really. It’s a bit disappointing but it is what it is. Every club has their prerogative and their priorities in the transfer window.

“I was gutted for Sam because it was too late to then find another opportunity to go and play football.”

Rangers do enough on Deadline Day despite Sam Edozie impasse

Philippe Clement and his Gers side, despite the 11th-hour failure of Edozie’s loan move to Ibrox, still had a very busy day on 30 August, with four players heading in and out of the doors at Auchenhowie.

Todd Cantwell and Scott Wright’s exits to clubs in the EFL Championship and League One respectively freed up much-needed space in the squad for Clement, which he’s filled with two exciting signings.

Neraysho Kasanwirjo will provide much-needed competition for James Tavernier at right-back this season after his loan move from Feyenoord, with the Gers captain staying put despite reports of an exit.

Furthermore, the addition of Nedim Bajrami for £3.3million from Sassuolo also provides a significant upgrade on the likes of Cantwell and Wright – though Edozie could have been seen as a finishing piece.

Bajrami can cover both the wide areas and number 10 role, and given Cantwell had been banished from first-team contention, the failure to sign Edozie as a direct Wright replacement will not be seen as a significant setback by Clement.

In other Rangers news, Nico Raskin sent a message on social media after one player’s Ibrox exit was sealed on Deadline Day.

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