Dayot Upamecano might make a move to Anfield in 2026 (Credits: Imago Images)
Rangers have emerged as the standout title favourites heading into the new Scottish Premiership season, with their summer recruitment drive drawing serious attention.
The Ibrox club has systematically dismantled one of their closest rivals by raiding Hearts for the Edinburgh club’s manager, captain, and top scorer in a bold show of intent.
Rangers also secured another of Hearts’ standout performers from last season on Saturday morning, compounding the damage done to their domestic competition.
The depth and quality of Rangers’ overall recruitment has gone largely unmatched by any rival club on either side of the city, signalling a serious title push.
Across the city, Celtic’s response to this aggressive transfer activity remains the central question hanging over the Premiership ahead of the new campaign.
Aberdeen have brought in nine new signings so far this summer, yet none of those arrivals have convincingly made the case that Pittodrie will be a serious title destination.
The signing that would truly set Scottish football alight would be Lewis Ferguson from Bologna, a move that would carry genuine transformative weight for Rangers’ ambitions.
However, the logistics of such a deal present enormous challenges, given the transfer fee involved and the wages Ferguson would reasonably be able to demand.
Columnist Hugh Keevins drew a historical comparison to illustrate the rarity of such a move, noting that a Scottish player leaving Serie A to return to the Premiership sounds fanciful given the stark contrast in football environments.
He recalled that when Denis Law made his move from Manchester City to Torino in 1961, it was a transfer that “introduced glamour into an otherwise drab existence,” reflecting how rare and dramatic such cross-league moves have always felt.
The step down from Napoli, Juventus, or Roma to the Scottish top flight is a significant one, making the prospect of Ferguson’s return to Scotland a difficult deal to engineer in practical terms.
Keevins acknowledged his own track record on predictions, writing as “someone who has long brought the prediction business into serious disrepute,” yet still pointed to Rangers as the team to watch.
Should Rangers somehow clear every financial and logistical hurdle to land Ferguson, the columnist warned that “the concept of gambling responsibly will be under serious threat.”
The overall picture heading into the new season is one of Rangers building with purpose, while their rivals have yet to demonstrate they can match that level of ambition in the transfer market.
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