Rangers close to signing Derek Cornelius from Marseille | OneFootball

Rangers are edging closer to completing a deal for Marseille defender Derek Cornelius (h/t journalist Fabrizio Romano).

He joined Marseille last summer after spells with Malmo and Vancouver Whitecaps, but struggled to break into the first team.

The left-footed centre-back would give Rangers balance at the back.

Cornelius isn’t the only player heading to Ibrox. Rangers have also struck a deal for striker Bojan Miovski.

The former Aberdeen man moved to Girona last year but struggled to find his groove in La Liga, and a return to Scotland now beckons after a £6 million package was agreed.

These arrivals come at a crucial moment for the club.

Rangers suffered a 9-1 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge, tumbling into the Europa League and wiping more than £15m off the projected Champions League revenue.

The pressure on manager Russell Martin has subsequently grown, with speculation that he could become the shortest-reigning permanent manager in Rangers history.

For now, the Ibrox board have stood behind him, keeping him in charge for Sunday’s game against Celtic. However, if results continue to falter, Martin could be sacked.

His trophy-laden CV, big-game pedigree and ability to galvanise dressing rooms make him an excellent choice.

If Rangers want to make a statement and reassert themselves on the European stage, Mourinho could be the ultimate gamble worth taking.