Rangers have opened talks to sign 2nd new winger

It’s fair to say that Derek McInnes made it clear what he thinks of Glasgow Rangers‘ current options on the flanks, following Friday’s frustrating draw at Tannadice.

The 54-year-old hauled off Djeidi Gassama and Ryan Naderi at half-time in that 1-1 stalemate, the deployment of the latter at right wing having particularly backfired, and unsurprisingly so considering the German is a 6 foot 4 centre-forward.

Having already sold Oliver Antman, and with Mikey Moore and Andreas Skov Olsen returning to their parent clubs this summer, the experienced Scot wasn’t exactly blessed with too many alternatives heading into that Premiership opener, however, heightening the need for reinforcements.

Well, amid the news that an agreement has been struck to sign Japanese winger, Daisuke Yokota, McInnes appears to have got his wish.

What Rangers can expect from Daisuke Yokota

As that failed Naderi experiment showcased, the right flank has been a real issue for the Gers ever since the end of Vaclav Cerny’s loan stint a year ago.

The woes of Antman and Skov Olsen didn’t help matters last term, while Gassama has typically looked better off the left, albeit while finding himself behind Moore across 2025/26.

Yokota could then be what the Light Blues have been waiting for, the 26-year-old a natural right-winger who loves cutting in onto his favoured left foot.

REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

He’s small and slight, yet the Hannover man has proven to be effective in Germany in recent times, ending last season with nine goals and assists in Bundesliga.2.

A solid yet unspectacular return, although Yokota did actually chalk up 12 ‘big chances’, suggesting his tally of assists should have been far higher, while he also averaged a standout 1.8 successful dribbles per game.

For context, he ranked joint-third in the division for total successful dribbles completed (54), highlighting just what a threat the left-footer is as a ball-carrier.

At a time when Rangers looked starved of speed, creativity and one-versus-one specialists, Yokota would be a wise addition, particularly for a knockdown price of around £3m.

Even so, McInnes and co still want more in that department, it would seem, with further irons in the fire.

Rangers could sign second new winger after Yokota

It was reported by Sky Sports that the Glasgow giants have had an £8m bid for Algerian star, Feris Ghedjemis, thrown out by Frosinone, with the Serie A side looking for closer to €15m – €20m (£13m – £17m) if they are to sell.

That will surely put a spanner in the works on that front, although the Old Firm side do have alternatives in mind, with TEAMtalk relaying the club’s interest in Camilo Mena.

The suggestion is that talks have already been held regarding a potential move for the Gdansk forward, albeit with discussions said to be at an early stage as things stand.

REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

That ‘enquiry’ will need to be followed by ‘significant work’ before the deal can be considered advanced, although there is reason to be optimistic, with prior reports indicating he could fetch just £3.4m.

Such a fee, like Yokota, would surely be something of a steal, with Mena likely to represent an even bigger coup than his Japanese counterpart.

Indeed, what Mena really has going for him is his versatility to feature all across the front line or as a number ten, albeit with his best role still seemingly on that right wing.

Still just 23, the in-demand talent did enjoy a sparkling season in Poland’s top tier last time out, eclipsing Yokota’s own record back in Germany.

In all, Mena scored five and assisted eight in the Ekstraklasa, with that tally of 13 goal involvements placing him comfortably ahead of Yokota’s haul of nine.

The Gdańsk sensation also bettered the incoming Rangers man in terms of ‘big chances’ created, with 16 racked up, while he averaged 1.6 key passes per game, well ahead of Yokota’s 0.9 average.

Mena was also ahead in terms of successful dribbles per game (1.9), with it worth noting that Poland’s top flight ranks as the 13th best in the world, according to Global Football Rankings, while Germany’s second tier is way down in 30th.

It’s also not like the South American’s form is a flash in the pan either, considering he registered 12 goals and assists in the league the previous season, creating a further nine ‘big chances’.

For comparison, Yokota ended 2024/25 at Hannover with just six goals and assists to his name, albeit while also creating nine ‘big chances’.

That’s not to say the Japanese speedster can’t also be a success at Ibrox, but following up that deal by signing Mena could represent an instant upgrade.