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Michael Mols hopes Rangers don’t go overboard with loan signings

Michael Mols in action for Rangers (SNS Group)
Michael Mols in action for Rangers (SNS Group)

The Dutchman was part of an era when Dick Advocaat was bankrolled to the tune of tens of millions of pounds to recruit Gio van Bronckhorst, Ronald de Boer, Colin Hendry, Andrei Kanchelskis, Tore Andre Flo and many more.

He knows that level of spending won’t be allowed to happen again, and that Mark Warburton has to use the funds given to him by Dave King wisely.

But what the Ibrox legend does not want to see is that players who have helped the club get back to the top flight are quickly sidelined.

“As much as new players will come in and one or two will probably move on, I hope that the players that have served the club so well this season are given their chance in the top league,” say Mols.

“Many players have performed well, and I look forward to seeing James Tavernier, Martyn Waghorn, Jason Holt, Andy Halliday and Barrie McKay testing themselves every week against other top teams.

“I think they’ll all cope absolutely fine.

“I’m certain Mark Warburton and Davie Weir will have players in mind that they want to sign. Mark is on record as saying he wants to bring in five or six.

“He knows he will need to improve the squad. He has excellent contacts down south and will put those connections to good use.”

Quite so. During the week the Rangers manager revealed he has been in contact with top teams in England with a view to bringing some of their top young talent north on loan next season.

He went down a similar road for this campaign by bringing up Nathan Oduwa and Dominic Ball from Spurs and Gedion Zelalem from Arsenal.

Equally, Mols is keen to see the standard of player that arrives at Ibrox in the summer on a permanent deal.

“It will be interesting to see what kind of budget is provided for Mark to spend,” says Mols.

“It’s vital to get the recruitment process right. It is crucial. But it is also important that the squad for next season doesn’t have too much pressure put on them.

“There must be a level of understanding. A lot of the players are young and still learning.

“Over the course of a league season in the top division, it will be very tough and they will need more depth. It will be interesting to see the calibre of player that arrives at Rangers.

“Of course, we all know it is changed days from 10, 15 or 20 years ago but there are still demands to be successful.”

Rangers loaned in Nathan Oduwa and Dominic Ball (left) from Spurs and Gedion Zelalem from Arsenal (SNS Group)
Rangers loaned in Nathan Oduwa and Dominic Ball (left) from Spurs and Gedion Zelalem from Arsenal (SNS Group)

Mols was an excellent striker for Rangers and helped the club to several successes, including the Treble in 2003 when Alex McLeish was manager.

So he knows only too well the importance of next month’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic at Hampden.

“I’m sure Rangers will be ready for the challenge and I think they will go into the match in a positive frame of mind,” he says.

“It’s a one-off cup tie and anything can happen. I certainly hope Rangers win and I have confidence in the management and players.

“Hampden will be bouncing that day and the atmosphere will be extra special. I loved games against Celtic. There is nothing like it, that’s for certain.”

Mols misses playing. But he is not interested in going down the route of management. At the moment he is scouting for FC Utrecht in Holland and enjoying the role.

He said: “I have a nice life. I enjoy my work. It’s not full-time, so I’m happy that I do not need to be at the call of anyone seven days a week.

“It gives me satisfaction to try to find some nice players for Utrecht and see if we can help develop them into stars.

“This role is ideal for me. I do not want to go into management. Of course, you never say never, but I don’t think it’s for me.

“Listen, I have nothing but total respect for managers and coaches because I now they have to dedicate their lives to their jobs and their football clubs and everything else is secondary.

“There are tremendous sacrifices involved, but also big rewards for being successful.

“But I see some coaches with the grey hairs, and the stress it can bring on their lives and I just don’t and that for me and my family.

“However, I know some guys need the buzz of being involved 24 hours a day and there is nothing wrong with that.

“Every person needs different things. I’m delighted I have all I need just now.”


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