Alious
A pivotal summer lies ahead for Rangers as new manager Russell Martin begins shaping a squad capable of challenging Celtic for the Scottish Premiership crown. Following a disappointing campaign, the Ibrox club is gearing up for a rebuild, with several new faces expected to arrive before the season kicks off.
Martin’s first competitive fixture comes in just over a month—against Panathinaikos in the Champions League second qualifying round—followed swiftly by a Premiership opener at Fir Park against Motherwell on 2 August. Strengthening the defence is a key priority, especially after Leon Balogun’s exit, and Rangers appear to have shifted their focus toward an emerging Croatian star.
According to *24 Sata*, Rangers are seriously pursuing Luka Jelenić, a commanding centre-back who currently plays for Croatian side NK Osijek. The 22-year-old joined Osijek only a year ago from NK Varaždin for €800,000, but a string of standout performances—even in a team that finished seventh—has reportedly attracted interest from clubs across Europe, including Portugal’s Vitória de Guimarães.
This pursuit marks a return to familiar territory for Rangers, who have previously dipped into the Osijek talent pool. In 2018, after facing them in Europa League qualifying, Rangers signed both Eros Grezda and Borna Barisic from the Croatian outfit. While Grezda struggled to make an impact, Barisic turned out to be one of the club’s best investments—going on to make over 230 appearances, winning every domestic trophy and playing a key role in the 2022 Europa League final run.
Now, with Harry Darling—Rangers’ former top defensive target—opting to join Norwich City instead of reuniting with Martin at Ibrox, attention has turned fully to Jelenić. And the signs are promising. Despite limited game time, Jelenić ranked impressively across defensive statistics in the Croatian top flight, including interceptions, tackles, and passing efficiency.
For context, Darling only registered 31 tackles and 25 interceptions in the Championship last season, ranking 233rd and 130th in those categories respectively. His passing accuracy of 87.8% is only slightly ahead of Jelenić’s, suggesting the Croatian may even offer more well-rounded attributes defensively and in possession.
Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig has called Jelenić a “crazy talent,” while other analysts have praised his 6’2″ frame, excellent defensive instincts, and composure under pressure. He’s described as physically strong, tough to beat in duels, and rarely prone to mistakes—traits that would make him a valuable asset in Rangers’ backline.
While Harry Darling may have been the safer, more familiar option, Jelenić represents a high-upside alternative with serious potential. Given Rangers’ past success with Osijek signings, this could prove to be another shrewd piece of business—one that mirrors the Barisic transfer and provides Russell Martin with a cornerstone to build his new-look defence around.
If Rangers can fend off competition and bring Jelenić to Glasgow, it might just be the signing that defines their summer.
Alious
