Glasgow Rangers manager Russell Martin has plenty of challenges facing him in his new role at Ibrox.
First and foremost, strengthening the squad is a priority. Ianis Hagi, Tom Lawrence and Leon Balogun all left at the end of last season following the expiration of their contracts.
Elsewhere, the likes of Ben Davies, Rabbi Matondo and Kieran Dowell may also be surplus to requirements ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, after spending time out on loan last year.
Add in the fact that Vaclav Cerny, Rafael Fernandes and Neraysho Kasinwirjo all returned to their parent clubs. This leaves Martin short in several areas, notably in defence.
At the time of writing, the only senior centre-backs at the club are John Souttar, Leon King, Robin Propper and Clinton Nsiala.
King and Nsiala are only 21 and played just 18 games between them during 2024/25, highlighting the need for another centre-back or two this summer.
How Martin would love to call upon a player who could command the backline with their sheer presence. Someone who would strike fear in opponents due to their sublime defensive abilities and excellent reading of the game.
Someone like David Weir, for example…
Why Weir was one of Walter Smith’s best Rangers signings
Smith made a host of superb signings during his two spells in charge of the Glasgow giants. Paul Gascoigne, Brian Laudrup and Stuart McCall, to name a few, are all legends at the club who were signed by Smith.
Fast-forward to his second stint and Smith landed talents such as Lee McCulloch, Nikica Jelavic and Pedro Mendes, among others. They all played their part as the Gers won three league titles in a row between 2009 and 2011.
Weir, however, must go down as one of Smith’s most important signings. The veteran centre-back arrived at Ibrox in January 2007 after he left Everton.
It was only meant to be a six-month deal in order to help Smith steady the ship. What followed is the stuff of legend.
Weir made a total of 226 appearances for the Light Blues between January 2007 and January 2012, scoring five goals in the process.
His leadership traits eventually led the club back to the summit of Scottish football, while he was a key part of the team that reached the UEFA Cup final in 2008, playing 61 matches that campaign.
Season
Games
Goals
Trophies
2011/12
1
0
0
2010/11
53
0
2
2009/10
51
0
2
2008/09
44
2
2
2007/08
61
3
2
2006/07
16
0
0
Never one blessed with pace, Weir was wonderful at reading the game and didn’t have to rely on matching an opponent for speed, especially with his excellent footballing brain.
While Weir is an anomaly, Martin could look to repeat Smith’s transfer masterclass by moving for a veteran defender who has spent the previous few years playing in England.
Rangers search for a new defender
Since Martin was appointed as the new Rangers manager, several defenders have been linked with a move to the club.
Harry Darling – who played under Martin at MK Dons and Swansea City – was one. As to was Ipswich Town centre-back Cameron Burgess.
While both would be solid signings, adding some depth to a problematic area, the Gers are interested in someone who has far more experience than those two.
According to Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie, the Gers are keen on a move for English defender Conor Coady, with a deal said to have already been “explored”.
While Coady echoes Weir in terms of leadership and a solid ability on the ball, at 32, might Martin perhaps take a deeper look into younger targets.
Weir, however, didn’t do too badly when he signed at the age of 36. Might Coady follow in his footsteps?
Why Rangers must sign Conor Coady
Souttar needs someone next to him who can play to his strengths. Last season, Propper struggled to cope with the physicality of Scottish football, making mistakes and often being rag-dolled by opposition forwards. He himself admitted he had “underestimated” the demands of Scottish football.
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Coady shouldn’t have a problem in this regard. The Englishman played 22 times in the Premier League last season for Leicester City.
While the Foxes may have been relegated, Coady finished the season with a 91% pass completion percentage, along with winning 53% of his ground duels and losing possession just 4.7 times per game for the club.
When compared to his positional peers across the top five European leagues, Coady’s pass success rate ranked him in the top 15%, while he also ranked in the top 5% for shots blocked (1.26) per 90.
Considering the fact that he was playing in a poor team, plus his advancing years, there is still plenty to like about Coady and what he could offer Rangers next season.
The defender has plenty of experience at the highest level and even won ten caps for England under the leadership of Gareth Southgate.
Southgate handed Coady the captain’s armband during just his second appearance for England in October 2020. Against Wales, he scored his first-ever England goal and was even dubbed “infectious” by the boss following his display.
The 32-year-old has just one more year left on his contract at the Foxes and, with their relegation to the second tier, will he be willing to drop a division, especially with plenty to offer?
Martin should act accordingly in order to try and secure a deal for the defender this summer, as he could well have competition for his signature.
On a short-term deal, Coady could potentially have the same sort of impact that Weir had upon arriving in Glasgow in 2007.
It sounds like a real no-brainer of a signing and one that could ease Martin’s fears about the state of the defence heading into the Champions League qualifiers.
Watch this space.
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