Rangers let a ready-made Scotland international slip through their fingers this summer after failing to follow up on what appeared to be a done deal. Lewis Ferguson had agreed in principle to join the Ibrox club, only for Rangers to never put a formal offer to Serie A side Bologna — and his father Derek Ferguson now believes the window to sign the 27-year-old midfielder has effectively closed, casting serious doubt over any revival of interest in January.

The noises out of Ibrox this summer had suggested Ferguson, who has established himself as one of Scottish football's most capable exports in Italy, was on his way back to the Scottish Premiership. Instead the move stalled without a bid being lodged, and with Bologna unlikely to entertain a cut-price deal in the winter window, the opportunity looks to have passed Rangers by entirely.

Raskin's Future Also Unresolved

The Ferguson saga is not the only piece of transfer business leaving Rangers with questions to answer. Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin attracted attention from Besiktas during the window, but the Turkish side were unable to meet the £20 million valuation Rangers placed on the 25-year-old. Manager Derek McInnes has said Raskin now needs to focus on his performances at club level if he wants to earn a big-money move when January arrives.

McInnes has also promised to address the situation surrounding John Souttar early next week. The 29-year-old Scotland centre-half was linked with a departure from Ibrox but ultimately stayed put after a move failed to materialise. Whether that represents the end of speculation around the defender remains to be seen.

Celtic's Transfer Window Under the Microscope

Across the city, Celtic's recruitment has drawn a mixed response. Former manager Gordon Strachan has been effusive, calling the Scottish champions' summer business phenomenal, pushing back against criticism directed at the board. The club reportedly pursued Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis and were prepared to spend around £9 million on the 22-year-old Lithuania international, though Torino valued him at closer to £13 million. Head coach Ignacio Abate is delighted to have retained him.

Not everyone connected to Parkhead is fully convinced by every piece of business. Chris Sutton has questioned the logic behind bringing 18-year-old Chelsea left-back Landon Emenalo in on loan as cover for Kieran Tierney, when options such as Dundee United's Will Ferry, Motherwell's Emmanuel Longelo and PAOK's Greg Taylor were all available. Emenalo has yet to make a senior appearance for Chelsea, and Sutton finds it difficult to understand why Celtic passed over those alternatives.

Clarke's Contract Stand-Off With the SFA

Away from club transfers, former Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has offered a candid account of his contract negotiations with the Scottish FA ahead of this summer's World Cup. Clarke says he had to push the governing body into agreeing a new deal after sensing they were keeping their options open. The admission provides a rare glimpse into the working relationship between Scotland's most successful recent manager and the organisation he served.

Meanwhile, 63-year-old Scot Steve Evans — currently managing Bristol Rovers — has emerged on the radar of both Hibernian and Preston North End, according to reports, should either club decide to change their manager in the coming weeks.

All told, it has been a summer that raises more questions than answers around Rangers in particular. Missing out on a midfielder who had already agreed to come raises serious concerns about the club's ability to execute in the transfer market when it matters most.

Frequently asked

Why didn't Rangers sign Lewis Ferguson this summer?
According to his father Derek Ferguson, Lewis Ferguson had agreed to join Rangers but the club never submitted a formal offer to his Italian club Bologna, meaning the deal collapsed before it began.
How much did Rangers want for Nicolas Raskin?
Rangers were looking for around £20 million for the 25-year-old Belgian midfielder, a figure Besiktas were unable to meet during the summer window.
What has Gordon Strachan said about Celtic's transfers?
Former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan described the club's summer recruitment as 'phenomenal', defending the board against criticism of their transfer activity during the window.