“Kieran Dowell of Defence” – Rangers Target Another Free Agent Journeyman | OneFootball

Rangers’ apparent interest in Swansea City’s Harry Darling is another disappointing sign of where our transfer ambition currently lies. With a defence already in need of major quality reinforcements, the pursuit of a Championship also-ran who has barely stood out in one of the most error-strewn backlines in the English second tier (54 conceded last season) is far from inspiring, as discussed here.

Darling has spent the last couple of seasons as a mainstay in a leaky Swansea defence, one that shipped goals for fun and sat nowhere near the promotion picture. He may have played regularly but quantity is not quality, and Rangers should not be in the business of collecting average players just because they are cheap or available. His stats are not remarkable, he has no standout traits and his reputation has never extended beyond mid-table English sides. For further background on the defender, see this detailed tag section.

The idea that this is a Russell Martin recommendation or connection adds little value. If Martin rated him that much he would be taking him to Southampton or wherever his next post ends up. There is nothing about Darling that screams Ibrox calibre. We need defenders who command their area, dominate the aerial game and read the match with authority. Darling has shown none of that, and at 24 years old he is no longer some raw talent with time to develop. He is what he is – and that is Championship filler, as noted in this earlier analysis.

This summer was supposed to be about a fresh start, a proper rebuild, a clearout of the mediocre and an influx of real talent. Instead we are scouring the lower leagues of England yet again for bargain signings and uninspiring additions. If Darling signs, he would join a long list of defenders in recent years who have flattered to deceive and never truly upgraded the team. We have been here before with players like Johnly Yfeko, Leon King and even Ben Davies. Why are we going down the same road again?

There needs to be more imagination, more bravery and more commitment to real quality. We cannot afford to fill this squad with more stopgaps and hopeful punts. The fans want signings to get excited about, not ones that make them shrug. Darling may turn out decent, but right now he looks like another uninspiring addition from the bowels of English football – and Rangers should aim far higher.