Rangers could sign the SPFL’s “best midfielder” as an immediate upgrade to Devlin

It’s time to think about young, emerging signings and talk of ‘resale value’, but that ignores the main motivation of a club like Glasgow Rangers – who are winning now.

However, under Derek McInnes’ watch, the Ibrox side do not appear to be leaving anything to chance in their quest for immediate success next season.

In the league and the city in second place at the end, the Glasgow side look to be in a good position to bid for the Premiership title, following a number of experienced players, who have signed in recent weeks.

The latest of those, Cammy Devlin, is another one who has been snapped up by Hearts after missing last season at Tynecastle, and the 28-year-old will be part of the stadium renovation this summer.

What Cammy Devlin will bring to Rangers

The Gers have already brought in Dan Neil on a free transfer from Sunderland, following the arrival of Tochi Chukwuani in January, however a central midfielder needs depth and quality, not least if a string of names is to take off.

There are doubts over Mohamed Diomande’s future after starting 20 Premiership games last season, while Connor Barron and Nicolas Raskin are attracting interest from Bologna and Hull City respectively.

Bringing Devlin into the fold, following the end of his Tynecastle deal, is a smart move in that sense, with the diminutive Aussie making a big impact under McInnes in 2025/26.

Selected as part of the Socceroos’ World Cup squad, although he did not feature at all in the tournament, Devlin is a true midfielder, someone who could fill Raskin’s shoes in that regard.

Last term, for example, he scored just two goals in 28 league outings, yet averaged 6.1 tackles per game, while winning 8.1 duels on average.

For context, no player has made more tackles in an entire division than the Rangers rookie (113).

Having failed to provide an assist, while creating just one ‘big chance’, Devlin’s performance could prove to be a key feature of his game at Ibrox.

Could it be that the Gers also need someone who can set the tempo alongside him?

How the Rangers can sign Devlin’s immediate development

With Neil and Devlin in the building, McInnes and his teammates are also looking for youngsters to help them, with interest in Vanja Dragojevic and Jens Hjerto-Dahl.

That doesn’t mean they won’t be able to consider signing experienced players, as there are plenty of players in the Premiership who might enter the equation.

It was reported earlier this summer that there were talks over a deal for Motherwell’s Elliot Watt, the 26-year-old who enjoyed a fine season last season.

Although there have been rumors that the Scotland international could be on his way to Turkey instead, the door remains open for Rangers to make a move, with Watt looking very impressive at Fir Park.

He might even represent an upgrade on Devlin, at least as he’s been hailed as “the best midfielder in the league” by writer and analyst Kai Watson.

That praise is unimportant, as Watt looks composed, controlled in his own position, a different profile of midfielder to Devlin’s career.

Indeed, across the board, Motherwell’s star is ranked second behind Celtic’s Liam Scales in terms of accurate passes (2347), while Devlin is ranked 16th.

Watt also has the edge offensively, scoring and assisting nine goals, while creating five ‘big chances’ and averaging 1.1 passes, with Devlin averaging just 0.7 in that latter metric.

It’s also worth noting that the Well playmaker also comes in defensively as well, averaging 3.3 tackles and tackles, while actually outperforming Devlin in terms of ball possession (7.1 vs 6.7).

As the Premiership’s tenth-ranked attacking midfielder, it’s not as if Watt is averse to putting his foot down defensively, there’s arguably a finesse to his game that Devlin lacks.

Devlin, of course, boasts the advantage that he has already flourished under McInnes, but Rangers should not rule out the possibility of a move for Watt, especially if the likes of Raskin and Barron are to walk through the exit door.

What is clear, regardless, is that something exciting is brewing at Ibrox, with McInnes assembling an experienced core that could put Rangers back in contention.