Rangers knew the January transfer window was crucial if they were to have any chance in this title race.
In truth, it is a fight they didn’t expect to find themselves in after Russell Martin’s disastrous 123-day reign.
However, 12 wins in 16 league games under Danny Röhl has catapulted the club back into a three-way battle alongside Hearts and Celtic.
Rangers have the most points of any club in the Scottish Premiership since Danny Röhl was appointed
Here’s a look inside how the window unfolded for the Ibrox side…
Who were the key figures involved?
Chairman Andrew Cavenagh (L) and Paraag Marathe (R) signed off on four January signings, adding to a big summer spend last year
With results on the up, the next hurdle to stay in the hunt was to improve the squad in the January window. The significance of that was clear to those running the show at Ibrox.
After sacking CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell in November – who was leading the search and negotiations?
Well, that responsibility fell upon chairman Andrew Cavenagh, vice chair Paraag Marathe, head coach Röhl, interim CEO Fraser Thornton, consultant Stig Inge Bjørnebye, technical director Dan Purdy and Gretar Steinsson, who holds the same title as Purdy at the 49ers Enterprises.
What was the plan?
The shopping list outlined the need for a new left-back, after three departed in January, plus at least one more midfielder, winger and striker.
Just over a fortnight into the window and three of those targets had already joined, as Tochi Chukuwani, Tuur Rommens and Andreas Skov Olsen arrived in Glasgow.
Rangers’ plan was clear. They wanted to act fast, assess how things were going and then go again before the window shut.
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Andreas Skov Olsen, Tochi Chukwuani and Tuur Rommens were unveiled at Ibrox during the transfer window
More importantly, Ibrox sources have told Sky Sports News that Cavenagh and Co were not just focusing on this season, but also had one eye on their long-term plans.
It is understood the US businessman always felt landing key targets on a permanent basis was important, rather than relying solely on short-term fixes and loan deals.
However, that comes at a cost. After spending around £40m in the summer, the deals for Rommens and Chukuwani cost over £7m, while Skov Olsen would command a fee of around £9m in June should Rangers look to make his move permanent.
Despite that outlay, a striker was still needed.
How did Rangers seal Naderi deal?
Ryan Naderi has signed a long-term deal at Rangers until the summer of 2029
Heading into the final days of the transfer window, it remained 50/50 if Rangers would land a new attacking option to help boost their title bid.
With Danilo in the Netherlands waiting to depart on loan, that move could only be rubber-stamped should another forward arrive.
Talks were underway with various players, including Cameron Archer and Ryan Naderi.
Both were keen on a move, but multiple bids for Naderi were rejected by his German third division club Hansa Rostock. They didn’t want to sell the player halfway through their season, which led Rangers to agreeing a deal worth around £3m (€3.5m) to land the player in the summer.
Talks were progressing with Archer, with paperwork underway. However, Rangers were aware that Southampton’s other outgoings could impact that deal going through.
Rangers were also in talks to sign Cameron Archer on loan from Southampton
Furthermore, when you consider how much a short-term loan would cost – with fees and wages – compared to landing Naderi now, it was no surprise Rangers opted to go back in for the German.
The striker had already decided to fly to the UK for a medical on Monday morning, should a deal be agreed.
It was felt that paying a further £1.5m to land the player six months earlier than agreed was better for Rangers today but also in the future – even if that took January spending into eight figures.
The fee is more than Rangers would liked to have spent, but with the fees being commanded for No 9s elsewhere, it was sanctioned.
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Röhl on Rangers’ transfer activity, as Naderi joined on Deadline Day as the club’s fourth January arrival
One thing Ibrox sources have been keen to suggest is the 22-year-old is not the ‘saviour’ his price tag might suggest. It is an issue Youssef Chermiti faced following his £10m move. The ex-Everton player is still top of the list to lead the line on matchdays, but Naderi will hope to challenge him and other summer signing Bojan Miovski and play a key role in the coming months and help fire Rangers to silverware.
Cavenagh, Marathe and Co decided to be aggressive in the final moments of the window and fund the building of a squad they hope win the title. It is over to Röhl and his group to now deliver.
What about outgoings?
Lyall Cameron (L) and Danilo were among those to depart Rangers on loan
Danilo departed on loan to NEC Nijmegen following Naderi’s arrival. The German is seen as an upgrade, and Rangers feel their squad is stronger now than it was at the start of the window.
The likes of Joe Rothwell, Kieran Dowell, Oscar Cortes, Findlay Curtis, Clinton Nsiala and Lyall Cameron also departed, with the first two on that list permanent deals. Rabbi Matondo might yet follow suit with discussions over his future ongoing.
Months after his summer move to Ibrox, Joe Rothwell left Rangers on a permanent deal to join Sheffield United
It is safe to say the financial return won’t offset much, if any, of the January spend. For Rangers, it was about allowing Röhl to work with the smaller squad he wanted, and also cut the wage bill.
There were enquiries for Chermitti and Djeidi Gassama, but Rangers instantly shut down any conversations. Potential proposed fees were said to be around £13m for Chermitti and £10m for Gassama – representing sizable profit.
However, those within the Ibrox boardroom did not want to sell any players who are contributing to their title bid, plus there is a thought that those fees could be on offer in the summer, if players continue to impress.
Has work on the summer window started?
In some ways, it has. How this season ends will impact that but Ibrox chiefs want to build on what they view as a positive window.
If a fifth January signing were to have been completed, it would have been for a midfielder, so expect that to be on the shopping list come the summer.
It is thought that wasn’t sanctioned in this window as they look to learn from previous mistakes when too much was changed over the summer.
There have been reports in Europe that a deal has already been sanctioned for Jens Hjertø-Dahl. While it is understood those reports are premature, he is one player Rangers will be looking at over the coming weeks and months.
With incoming chief executive Jim Gillespie taking over in the coming weeks, Rangers have paused talks for a new sporting director. They feel a blueprint is in place following the January window and will look to go again in the coming months.
Their hope will be that the January investment allows them to shop in the summer as champions.