Rangers boss Michael Beale has quite a bit to do if he's to be happy come the top of the January switch window.
Out of European competitors, 9 factors behind native rivals Celtic within the title race and dealing with an Ibrox crowd that grew to become disgruntled with Gio van Bronckhorst in his twilight days in west Glasgow, the Englishman should get off to the perfect begin attainable to alleviate any potential fears. With the Hoops having already introduced the approaching signings of Alistair Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi, Rangers followers will probably be eagerly anticipating any potential incomings, particularly with Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos' futures up within the air.
Step ahead reported goal Jan Gregus; a Slovakian midfield powerhouse, who's the newest title to be linked with Rangers. In response to La Gazzetta Specific, Gregus may very well be first in line underneath new administration on condition that Glen Kamara may transfer because of Serie A curiosity, although any deal may properly see the duo play collectively in central midfield - and along with his present membership San Jose set to let him go within the January window, a transfer to the SPFL may simply be to ensure that the jap European machine.
However who's Gregus, how does he play and what can he add to Beale's already midfield-heavy squad? Report Sport takes a have a look at what he may supply in the event that they handle to beat rumoured curiosity from French giants Rennes to his signature.
Who's he?
Gregus is a dominating, powerhouse midfielder who performs for San Jose Earthquakes within the MLS and the Slovakian nationwide group. Born in Nitra, Czechoslovakia, Gregus was scouted on the age of simply six by hometown membership FC Nitra; so it is obvious that he has been rated by many for just about his whole 25-year profession in a membership setup.
Shifting from Nita and throughout the Czech Republic to Banik Ostrava and Jablonec over a seven-year spell, Gregus spent a 12 months at English facet Bolton Wanderers; although then-boss Dougie Freedman elected to not use him within the first group regardless of being 22 years of age, as a substitute that includes within the growth squad.
The 6ft 3in midfield star obtained his large break in 2016, shifting to Danish giants FC Copenhagen on a four-year deal. He excelled on the large stage, scoring seven targets in 106 video games for the Superliga facet with two top-flight titles in three seasons and enjoying within the Champions League - the place he scored in two consecutive seasons towards Northern Irish facet Crusaders amongst group stage appearances.
2019 noticed him hop throughout the pond to hitch Minnesota United for £2million, turning into an virtually ever-present on the Allianz Area earlier than taking the journey to San Jose in January this 12 months. He scored six targets in his first seven video games however has failed to seek out the web since.
Comparability to present stars
Worldwide expertise is one thing that's massively advantageous for a brand new signing to stroll by means of the door, particularly given the prominence of expertise in each Celtic and Rangers' squads.
With Scott Arfield, Steven Davis, Ianis Hagi and Glen Kamara all boasting caps from midfield, it is just Davis who has extra caps than Gregus in all the Rangers squad - that means that Beale may very well be choosing expertise in his ranks to ease him into the Rangers dugout position. Many would argue that a participant to develop and promote for the next charge may very well be extra crucial to Rangers' long-term future because of their AGM on Tuesday afternoon, however with Gregus in a position to be a part of on a free switch, it appears comparatively low-risk.
He solely missed seven of San Jose's 34 league video games this season, so his health just isn't doubtful regardless of an ankle damage in direction of the top of his stint in Minnesota. Moreover, his skill to play in entrance of the again 4, within the coronary heart of midfield and within the gap persistently may remedy a number of issues for Beale, with Arfield and Davis ageing, Ryan Jack's struggles with damage and Ianis Hagi nonetheless but to return again from the therapy desk.
What else stands out?
Scotland followers will recall a 1-0 defeat towards Slovakia in November 2020 that finally proved expensive. Gregus scored the solitary aim after half an hour to knock Steve Clarke's males off their perch within the Nations League Group B, with the person of the match displaying he can do it towards among the Scottish Premiership's finest and brightest.