Rangers fans will be hoping for new signings, particularly in defense, before the Monday transfer deadline. On Wednesday, the team suffered a humiliating 6-0 loss in Champions League qualifying, exiting with a 9-1 aggregate score conceding more than nine goals in a two-legged European tie for the first time in 65 years. This heavy defeat has increased the pressure on manager Russell Martin, even though it was just his tenth match in charge.
Despite this, Martin still has the backing of the Rangers board, though not necessarily the fans. The potential addition of a new defender could be key to improving his standing.
Rangers’ Defensive Struggles
Since Martin’s first match in charge, a 2-0 win over Panathinaikos in July, his preferred center-back pairing has been John Souttar and Nasser Djiga. However, Djiga, who is on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, has shown signs of vulnerability. He was at fault for Club Brugge’s opening goal at Ibrox and was sent off in the disappointing 1-1 draw with Dundee earlier this month.
As Rangers seek an upgrade, journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that they are close to signing center-back Derek Cornelius from Olympique de Marseille. The deal is expected to be a loan with an option to buy, reportedly worth €4m (around £3.4m). If completed, Cornelius would become the fifth Canadian international to represent Rangers, joining Scott Arfield, Fraser Aird, Luca Gasparotto, and Colin Miller.
Why Derek Cornelius Should Excite Rangers Fans
Cornelius has gained international experience since his senior debut with VfB Lübeck in the German fourth division. After stints with clubs in Germany and Serbia, he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2019, marking his breakthrough in Major League Soccer. He later played for Panetolikos in Greece, Malmö in Sweden, and then made a €4m move to Olympique de Marseille last summer. The 27-year-old featured in 21 Ligue 1 games last season but has been deemed surplus to requirements at Marseille due to new arrivals.
Analyst Kai Watson describes Cornelius as “athletic” and highlights his “excellent” ability in aerial duels. With the 2026 World Cup in Canada approaching, Cornelius will be highly motivated and could be a regular starter for Jesse Marsch’s side next summer. Having earned 35 caps for Canada, he played a key role in their surprise run to the Copa América semi-finals.
Cornelius vs. Djiga – 2024/25 Comparison
The table below compares Cornelius and Djiga’s stats from the 2024/25 season:
| Stat (per 90) | Cornelius | Djiga |
|---|---|---|
| Pass completion % | 94% | 91% |
| Forward passes | 23 | 15 |
| Duels won | 4.5 | 3.2 |
| % of ground duels won | 55% | 70% |
| % of aerial duels won | 67% | 53% |
| Clearances | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| Blocks | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Ball recoveries | 4.3 | 3.5 |
| Possession lost | 4.9 | 6.1 |
| Average SofaScore rating | 6.84 | 6.74 |
From the comparison, Cornelius excels in most metrics, particularly ball recoveries, duel-winning ability, and aerial duels. Djiga only outperforms him in ground duels. Based on these stats, Cornelius appears to be an upgrade over Rangers’ current defensive options, likely pushing Djiga to the bench.
