Rangers working '24/7' on transfers as Danny Rohl addresses left-back link and chance of new face for Celtic

The January transfer window opened on Thursday and Rangers have been linked with former Hearts defender Penrice, who left Tynecastle for the Greek capital last summer, and Fir Park playmaker Watt, who has been one of the stand-out performers in the Premiership this season.

Speaking ahead of Rangers’ league clash with Old Firm rivals Celtic on Saturday, head coach Danny Rohl played down the possibility of a new arrival before a trip across Glasgow but admitted the Ibrox recruitment team are searching tirelessly for options to refresh his squad for the second half of the campaign.

“We work at the moment 24/7 for players,” said Rohl. “It's about decision-making. It's about negotiations. It's about timing. We have some players in our mind, but you have to be a little bit patient.

“I think this is now my third window in January as a manager. I know what it means. You always hope as a manager, as a head coach, to get the players in very early. But two years ago, we [Sheffield Wednesday, his former club] signed three players after 8pm on the last day.

“We try everything [to make sure] that is not the case. But in the January window, you have to be patient. You have to be demanding. I think this is also important. You have to take the opportunities when there are opportunities on the market.”

Why left side is important for Rangers

Rohl was specifically asked whether wide defenders are a priority and the German singled out the left-back area, where Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma is his only natural option in that area of the pitch.

“I think on the right side, I have good options with Max Aarons, Tav [James Tavernier], Dujon [Sterling] now is back and on the left side with Jayden. But I must say Jayden at the moment is very solid, especially the defence side. I like how he improved.

“But, of course, if something happens in the past, then I took sometimes Max on the left side. It could be an area that we are looking for to improve. Also to have a left foot on his side is always helpful. But this is just one of the areas that we are looking for.”

Celtic have already strengthened their squad with the loan signing of Julian Araujo from Bournemouth and the Mexican could make his debut against Rangers. It is unlikely the visitors will have a new face for the lunchtime clash at Parkhead.

“You never know,” smiled Rohl. “In 24 hours on a transfer day, a lot of things are possible. But if you ask me now, then I don't think that we will sign now or today. But we are working and this is then about timing. We have to be again and again.

“Then it goes a bit from both sides. And then at the end, hopefully we have a good result. The window is open, this is good. I think now it's about in both directions, in and out. Not wait, we are active, but wait for the moments when we can really make the final decisions.”