Glasgow Rangers are heading into one of their most pivotal summer transfer windows in recent memory. After enduring another season without silverware, while watching Celtic tighten their grip on domestic dominance, frustration among the Ibrox faithful is becoming increasingly evident.
There is a glimmer of hope, however, as 49ers Enterprises appear to be nearing a full takeover of the club. This potential change in ownership could usher in a wave of optimism and fresh direction at Rangers. Representatives of the American investment group recently toured Ibrox, raising hopes that the deal will be finalised promptly, providing the club with a much-needed boost ahead of the new season.
While appointing a permanent manager remains a priority, it’s clear the squad is in dire need of a rebuild. Rangers can no longer afford to spend heavily on players who fail to deliver or waste wages on those prone to injury. The club appears to be shifting towards a more strategic, youth-oriented recruitment policy, as seen with the pre-contract signing of Lyall Cameron and interest in Josh Mulligan. This mirrors past successful moves, such as the acquisition of Ryan Kent.
https://twitter.com/ramanbhardwajTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1915106677524676848%7Ctwgr%5E4ed7391298f463e4ae4f78d7292ea4121c5cebe6%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.footballfancast.com%2Frangers-can-sign-the-next-ryan-kent-in-salzburg-gem-bobby-clark%2F
Ryan Kent originally joined Rangers on loan during the 2018/19 season, quickly winning fans over with 15 goal contributions—including a memorable clash with Celtic’s Scott Brown. His performances prompted then-manager Steven Gerrard to make the deal permanent the following summer. Kent went on to become a vital figure for the club, particularly during the 2020/21 season when Rangers clinched the league title undefeated. That year, Kent was almost unstoppable—racking up impressive attacking stats and terrorising defences week in, week out.
However, his influence waned in the final two years at Ibrox, contributing just six goals before departing on a free transfer in 2023. Still, his early years were a model of what an inspired signing can offer. With that in mind, could Bobby Clark be the next player to follow in Kent’s footsteps and thrive in Glasgow?
Rangers had shown interest in Clark during the January window, eyeing a short-term loan deal. The young midfielder had joined RB Salzburg in the summer of 2024 for around £6 million but struggled to adapt to life in Austria. Though a move to Ibrox didn’t materialise at the time, Clark may be available again this summer, with Salzburg reportedly open to loaning him out for the 2025/26 campaign. This development could reignite Rangers’ interest.
Much like Kent, Clark emerged from the Liverpool academy, having initially started his youth career at Newcastle United—following in the footsteps of his father, Lee Clark. He made his senior debut for Liverpool in 2022/23 and tallied a goal and two assists in 12 appearances the following season. His talent has drawn high praise, with journalist Lee Ryder once comparing him to a young Paul Gascoigne.
| Ryan Kent’s Rangers statistics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Games | Goals | Assists |
| 2022/23 | 44 | 3 | 10 |
| 2021/22 | 46 | 3 | 19 |
| 2020/21 | 52 | 13 | 14 |
| 2019/20 | 33 | 8 | 4 |
| 2018/19 | 43 | 6 | 9 |
| Via Transfermarkt | |||
Though game time at Salzburg has been limited, Clark has still shown flashes of quality in both domestic and European competitions. In the Austrian Bundesliga, he has posted respectable numbers despite limited minutes. More impressively, in the Champions League, he held his own against elite sides like PSG, Atlético Madrid, and Bayer Leverkusen—highlighting his potential on the biggest stage.
All things considered, Bobby Clark looks like a player in need of a fresh opportunity to reignite his career. Rangers could be the ideal destination—just as it was for Ryan Kent. A move to Ibrox might be the perfect platform for Clark to rediscover his form and flourish.
Leave a Reply