Rangers have already made a strong start to their summer transfer window with the arrival of Lawrence Shankland, but they are already looking at the next deals they want to complete.

The Ibrox club have completed a move to sign Shankland on a free transfer from Hearts, with the striker penning a three-year deal at the Glasgow club and taking the number seven shirt ahead of his participation at the World Cup.

Now Danny Rohl is looking to add more options to his defence during the upcoming window, with a number of central defenders leaving and needing to be replaced.

Rangers Eyeing Casper Widell Deal

According to a report by Rangers Review journalist Chris Jack, Rangers are eyeing up a move to sign Excelsior defender Casper Widell this summer.

Widell, who stands at 6ft 3 and has been described as ‘incredible’, enjoyed a strong season in the Eredivisie making 34 apperances as the team finished 13th in the Dutch top-flight.

The 23-year-old’s performances have attracted the attention of English Championship sides Derby County and Blackburn Rovers, but Rangers are also understood to be showing an interest in his services as they look to bolster their defensive options.

Derek Cornelius and Nasser Djiga have both returned to their respective parent clubs following their loan spells this season, leaving Rohl with just Emmanuel Fernandez and John Souttar as senior centre-back options

But even Fernandez has been heavily linked with an exit away amid interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, and that means that new defenders are a priority for Rohl.

Rangers Have a Huge Summer Ahead

After throwing away their chance at the Scottish Premiership title this season, Danny Rohl knows that this summer is of the utmost importance for him and Rangers.

The club have already addressed the issue of a lack of goals in their squad by adding long-term target Shankland, but defence is a big problem for them now after so many absences.

Widell may be a bit of an unknown, but he has experience playing at a high level, is only 23 meaning there is plenty of room for improvement, and physically looks more than capable of being able to cope. For the right fee, it could be a shrewd bit of business, and would help to fill a glaring hole in their squad.

Liverpool are in talks to let another first-team star leave Anfield this summer after it was confirmed that Ibrahima Konate would be on the move, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds confirmed during the season that both Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson would leave in the summer transfer window, and it was revealed earlier this week that France international Konate would follow them after failing to agree a new contract.

Manager Arne Slot was also sacked on Saturday in a surprise move, with GMS sources understanding that Andoni Iraola is the frontrunner to replace him. But there could yet be even more exits to come on Merseyside.

Liverpool In Talks to Sell Curtis Jones

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool remain in talks with Inter Milan over a deal that could see Curtis Jones leave permanently.

The midfielder, who has been described as ‘incredible’, has emerged as a top target for the Serie A champions, after showing an initial interest in January, although a deal never materialised.

Inter were hoping to pay around €20m (£17.3m) for the 25-year-old, who is out of contract next summer, and it’s understood that Jones would be willing to make the switch to the San Siro.

An agreement is not believed to be close, with Liverpool valuing him higher, but an exit has not been ruled out as the club look to raise funds ahead of a big summer window, following their record-breaking spend last year.

Jones Exit Would Be Final Nail

There’s some big exits planned at Anfield, but losing another academy talent for a minimal fee a year after losing Trent Alexander-Arnold for nothing would be a nightmare decision.

Jones has showed his quality over recent years, and there’s no doubting that he absolutely loves Liverpool having come through their academy as a child and supported them all his life.

That type of connection is what has been missing at Anfield for a long time, and letting him leave would just further desecrate the feeling around the club. He deserves to be given a chance and a new contract, not sold to the highest bidder.

Although Michael Jordan is often remembered as an untouchable competitor thanks to his flawless NBA Finals record and overwhelming control of the league throughout the 1990s, his rise to championship success was anything but immediate. Jordan didn’t capture his first NBA title until his seventh season in the league.

Like many all-time greats, Jordan endured years of setbacks before finally reaching the pinnacle. Countless legends have had to battle through losses against established stars before becoming champions themselves. Those difficult defeats often provide the lessons that shape future greatness, and Jordan’s journey was no exception.

During the 1980s, MJ developed several notable rivalries as he emerged as the NBA’s premier talent. He frequently ran into roadblocks created by Isiah Thomas’ Pistons and Magic Johnson’s Showtime Lakers. Jordan’s teams were eliminated from the playoffs in each of his first six seasons, with five of those exits coming against just two opponents. Three postseason losses came against Detroit, while two of his earliest heartbreaks were delivered by a player widely regarded as one of the greatest in basketball history.

Michael Jordan Praised NBA Legend For Having No Weaknesses

Before suffering consecutive playoff sweeps at the hands of that star, Jordan was asked about him in 1987 and offered a surprisingly unique assessment of his game.

But who was it he was talking about?

Larry Bird’s place among basketball’s all-time elite is well deserved. Across his Hall of Fame career, he earned 12 All-Star selections and 10 All-NBA honours. Bird also captured three MVP awards, three NBA championships, and two Finals MVP trophies. Even though injuries shortened the latter stages of his career, he remains firmly in the conversation as one of the greatest small forwards ever.

What makes his accomplishments even more remarkable is that he achieved them without the elite athletic traits commonly associated with legendary players. Few superstars have reached his level while relying so little on physical advantages.

As Jordan pointed out, Bird’s game contained virtually no weaknesses. He wasn’t the fastest player on the court, nor was he known for explosive leaping ability. While those attributes can create advantages, they are not the defining characteristics of a champion.

Bird built his reputation through elite skill, competitive toughness, basketball IQ, and a confidence that often intimidated opponents. He was among the finest shooters of his generation, capable of scoring from long range, the mid-range area, or around the basket. Regardless of the situation, he had a knack for delivering big shots.

Beyond scoring, Bird was a gifted passer whose court vision ranked among the best the game has ever seen. He routinely identified opportunities before they developed and delivered creative passes with either hand. He also contributed heavily on the glass, averaging 10.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists throughout his career.

Defensively, Bird was never considered a shutdown one-on-one defender, but his awareness and positioning allowed him to be highly effective. He excelled within team defensive schemes and consistently used anticipation to offset any physical disadvantages.

Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest player in NBA history. Bird isn’t far behind on many all-time lists, despite possessing nowhere near Jordan’s athletic gifts. Through a combination of skill, intelligence, and all-around excellence, Bird repeatedly challenged and defeated Jordan early in his career – a fact Jordan himself readily acknowledged.