Rangers Set for Summer Rebuild as McInnes Era Begins – But Which Forward Should They Prioritise?
Whether Danny Rohl jumped at the chance to leave or was gently shown the door, the reality is stark: his time at Rangers has come to an abrupt end, following a bitterly disappointing conclusion to the 2025/26 campaign.
The lure of Jürgen Klopp and the Red Bull project may well appeal to the German coach, but questions linger over whether the Austrian Bundesliga truly represents a step forward. Is leaving Ibrox for that stage really such an obvious upgrade?
Regardless, Rangers have moved quickly to secure Derek McInnes – the Scottish Premiership’s top-performing manager last season – as his successor.
The Scot’s long-anticipated return to Glasgow finally looks set to materialise, and he is expected to begin shaping a squad capable of challenging for the title this summer. Early signs are encouraging, with the pre-contract capture of his former Hearts captain, Lawrence Shankland, already in the bag.
And that may not be the only reunion on the cards this transfer window…
McInnes Could Target £6m Summer Signing
Unsurprisingly, early speculation has linked McInnes with a move for Claudio Braga, the Portuguese forward who, alongside Shankland, powered Hearts’ unexpected title tilt last season.
Celtic are also said to be circling, but McInnes’s personal connection could tilt the balance in Rangers’ favour – and the club are already understood to be exploring a potential deal.
Reports suggest a fee in the region of £5 million could suffice, though Hearts – already stung by Shankland’s exit – may prove reluctant sellers.
Braga is not the only attacker on Rangers’ radar, however. According to Football Insider, the Ibrox side are weighing up a move to bring Vaclav Cerny back to Glasgow, provided a cut-price opportunity presents itself.
Besiktas are keen to recoup the full £6 million they paid Wolfsburg for the Czech winger just over a year ago, making any deal tricky under Rangers’ current financial model.
The club’s recruitment strategy now prioritises players with future resale value, though they may be willing to bend that rule if Cerny becomes available at a discount.
Why Cerny May Be the Smarter Choice Over Braga
Reuniting the frontline that nearly delivered Hearts a historic title would be a major coup for McInnes. Shankland and Braga formed a devastating partnership at Tynecastle, with the latter enjoying a breakout campaign following his move from Scandinavia. The 26-year-old netted 14 league goals and was crowned PFA Scotland Player of the Year.
Yet Braga is no longer a raw youngster – he turns 27 later this year – and like Cerny, may not offer significant sell-on value down the line.
While Braga’s talent is undeniable, Cerny holds one clear advantage: he has already proven himself in a Rangers shirt. During a difficult 2024/25 campaign for the club, the left-footed wideman was a rare bright spark, contributing 18 goals and nine assists in 52 appearances across all competitions.
By contrast, Braga’s debut Hearts season yielded 17 goals and six assists in 44 outings, though he often operated as a number ten or second striker rather than out wide.
Cerny also boasts a strong track record beyond Scotland – he registered 43 goal involvements in just 78 games for FC Twente, and has already contributed 15 goals and assists in 34 appearances for Besiktas.
His memorable derby exploits at Celtic Park have already endeared him to the Rangers support, and a return would carry far less risk than an unproven asset.
Braga’s breakout season, impressive as it was, came somewhat out of nowhere – he had previously featured only in Norway’s lower divisions. It remains to be seen whether his form was a genuine breakthrough or a fleeting purple patch.
While working under McInnes again could help sustain his trajectory, Cerny’s proven track record at Ibrox arguably makes him the more compelling statement signing for Rangers this summer.
