That Neraysho Kasanwirjo blow will only increase the need for a January acquisition if Rangers were already in the market for a right-back because James Tavernier isn’t getting any younger.
After Kasanwirjo sustained a knee injury while playing for the Netherlands’ Under 21 team on international duty this week, Philippe Clement announced that he will be sidelined “longer-term.”
There are severe worries that the Feyenoord loanee’s Rangers career has come to a stuttering halt just as it was beginning to gather up momentum, and he needs surgery.
The right-back position now appears to be begging for investment, especially as Dujon Sterling has been having trouble getting regular minutes in recent months and Clement is eager to relieve the strain on James Tavernier, who is now 33.
Ryan Barnett enters the picture at this point. Or he would have, anyway.
In mid-November, RangersNews exclusively revealed that the Rangers were keeping an eye on Wrexham flyer Barnett in hopes of bringing him north of the border in the coming year.
Now, those hopes have been shattered. Wrexham stated on Friday that Barnett had signed a new contract through the summer of 2027, which was the news that everyone at the League One promotion chasers had been waiting for.
Ryan Barnett of Wrexham will not take Neraysho Kasanwirjo’s spot at Rangers.
“I can’t wait to get it resolved. “There isn’t anywhere else I would rather be right now,” a jubilant Barnett posted on Wrexham’s official website. “The club has a great vibe, and I’m happy I can continue to be a part of it for even longer.
“My family and I are proud and happy at this moment.”
Barnett, who now has five assists for the season, had an incredible October and was nominated for League One Player of the Month. In contrast, Tavernier would have been pleased to claim his own goal, a fiery effort from the edge of the penalty box, as his game-winning goal against Mansfield Town.
It is understandable that manager Phil Parkinson is relieved that suitors Rangers, Preston North End, and Stoke City are keeping their distance from him given his significance to Wrexham’s chances of a third consecutive promotion.
Parkinson grinned and said, “We’re really happy for Ryan’s new contract.” “He deserves his new contract and has adjusted to life in League One well.”
Concerns regarding James Tavernier’s future under Philippe Clement are becoming more prevalent.
At the very least, Clement has stated that Rangers managers will discuss possible January deals in the upcoming weeks. Amid worries over Tom Lawrence’s personal fitness troubles, Rangers have been connected to FCSB playmaker Darius Olaru, among others.
In contrast, Clement preferred Sterling for Saturday’s postponed match against Dundee United, leaving Tavernier out of Rangers’ starting lineup for just the second time this season in the Scottish Premiership.
In an interview with the Scottish Sun, Kris Boyd also questions whether an incredible Rangers career is coming to an end.
“I’m genuinely curious about Tavernier’s future. The former Ibrox hitman says, “I don’t get the feeling Tav is the manager’s go-to right back any more.”
“Clement didn’t recite the tired excuse that he already had two good right-backs when he was questioned about being without Kasanwirjo. He insisted that they examine it within the January window and determine their options.
That only strengthened the perception that Tavernier would no longer be selected first.
Perhaps I’m the last to realise that Tav’s situation might be terminal. According to the manager, however, this week was the first time I had truly believed it was going in that direction.
