Why Rangers’ “best player” looks finished after Neil and Devlin deals

Someone at Tynecastle might want to place Claudio Braga under lock and key, with the Portuguese forward likely to be next on the agenda for Glasgow Rangers at this rate, following a summer of raids by the Ibrox side.

First it was Lawrence Shankland, the Scotland striker joining the Gers in a deal that felt a long time coming, at the very least a year in the making after persistent links last summer.

Then it was Derek McInnes‘ turn to make the move to Glasgow, the 54-year-old also ending years of speculation by finally taking on the top job at Ibrox.

And now, it’s Cammy Devlin’s turn, the 28-year-old having become the sixth signing already this summer for the Light Blues, following the expiry of his Hearts contract.

Where Devlin ranks in Rangers’ summer transfer business so far

Starting with the man who kicked things off this summer, it’s hard to look beyond Shankland still as the marquee move of the window so far, the 30-year-old a player that Rangers have been crying out for for years in that number nine role.

88 goals in 171 games for Hearts, as well as 66 in 162 games at Premiership level, a record you simply can’t argue with.

As for the rest, the capture of Ivor Pandur might well prove a real coup, with a goalkeeping upgrade certainly needed, having seen Jack Butland make four errors leading directly to a goal last season.

Pandur made just two errors in 48 Championship games in 2025/26, while preventing 5.28 goals, ahead of Butland’s record of just 2.29.

There’s also a lot to like about Dan Neil, provided he doesn’t prove Joe Rothwell mark two, the free transfer arrival notably skippering Sunderland to promotion in 2024/25.

In Ben Godfrey’s case, this feels like one Rangers supporters have seen before as a player seeks a career revival at Ibrox, the Englishman a man on the decline after enduring a string of loan spells away from parent club Atalanta over recent years.

As for Ross McCrorie, the 28-year-old returnee will be a safe and steady James Tavernier replacement, having enjoyed a solid 2025/26 campaign in which he scored and assisted nine goals for Bristol City from his wing-back berth.

And there’s Devlin, the midfield terrier already having flourished in a McInnes side, while notably ranking first in the division for total tackles made last season (113).

On a free transfer, you can’t really argue with that, even if it means potential repercussions for those already at the club.

What Neil and Devlin signings could mean for Rangers squad

The January arrival of Tochi Chukwuani kicked things off under Danny Rohl, while Neil and Devlin’s entrance at Ibrox has further ramped up the midfield overhaul.

Incomings surely mean outgoings, however, with Mo Diomande in line to leave amid his reduced role last term, while Connor Barron could well fetch a fee of around £8m-£10m, amid growing interest in the young Scot.

The headline departure, after Tavernier’s prior exit, would surely be Nicolas Raskin, it must be said, the Belgian looking more likely to move on with each World Cup appearance.

While the Red Devils did bow out at the hands of Spain on Friday night, Raskin was again immense in the heart of the midfield, having proven so influential in his country’s surge to the quarter-final stage.

The 25-year-old has been a real breakout star of the tournament, notably registering two assists in his six outings, three of which came from the start.

That follows what was a positive 2026 all told for Raskin under Rohl, the former Standard Liege man looking particularly impressive pre-split, solidifying why he remains the club’s “best player“, in the view of Chris Sutton.

There have been fallouts and sagas in recent years, but with Rohl at the helm, Raskin seemingly found his groove, ending the season with 13 goals and assists in the Premiership, having created 12 ‘big chances’ to boot.

With the likes of Hull City now sniffing around, and with Neil and Devlin in the building, you do fear that is a sign of what is to come.

Indeed, Devlin might well pick up the mantle as the new all-action midfield presence, with there certainly similarities with regard to what he and Raskin offer out of possession, as the latter man ranked third for total tackles last time out.

In terms of what Raskin provides on the ball, neither Neil nor Devlin appears quite at that level, although Neil’s time at Sunderland did see him chip in with five goals and assists in 2024/25, while having created four ‘big chances’.

Either way, with those two men already in the building, and with the likes of Vanja Dragojevic and Jens Hjerto-Dahl mooted to follow, there appears only one conclusion in terms of Raskin’s future.

His colourful time at Ibrox, it would seem, is coming to a climax.