Rangers set to complete deal in the last hours of the transfer window as they beat rival Celtic to major signing

Rangers set to complete deal in the last hours of the transfer window as they beat rival Celtic to major signing

Rangers are set to complete a blockbuster deal in the final frantic hours of the January 2026 transfer window, landing high-profile Southampton striker Cameron Archer in a move that has seen them decisively beat arch-rivals Celtic to the punch.

With the Scottish Premiership title race heating up under manager Danny Rohl, Rangers prioritized bolstering their attack after frustrations in pursuing Hansa Rostock’s Ryan Naderi—whose £3m+ bids were repeatedly rejected—and Leeds United’s Joel Piroe, who opted to stay and fight for his place at Elland Road. Archer, the 24-year-old England Under-21 international signed by Southampton from Aston Villa for £15m in 2024, emerged as the prime target amid reports of limited game time at St Mary’s.

Insiders confirm Rangers accelerated negotiations late on January 30, finalizing terms for a multimillion-pound permanent transfer (potentially loan-to-buy elements) before Monday’s deadline. This swoop outmaneuvered any late Celtic interest in similar forward profiles, as the Hoops focused elsewhere without matching Rangers’ urgency or aggression in the market.

Archer brings proven Premier League/Championship pedigree, versatility to play centrally or wide, and a sharp goal threat—qualities Rohl has demanded to complement Youssef Chermiti and Bojan Miovski. His arrival injects Premier League quality into Ibrox, providing competition and depth for the run-in against Celtic, Hearts, and European commitments.This late-window masterstroke underscores Rangers’ intent: rejecting big offers for their own stars while investing heavily in a statement signing. Celtic supporters will feel the sting of being pipped, especially as both Old Firm giants chased attacking reinforcements amid the chaos.

As the clock ticks down, Rangers fans can celebrate a major coup—Archer’s imminent unveiling promises fireworks for the season’s climax, potentially tilting the Premiership balance firmly in the Light Blues’ favor.