THE task of building a title winning team in one or two transfer windows is almost an impossible one. And so it proved for Steven Gerrard in his first campaign as Rangers manager last term.

By the time you have a third period of wheeling and dealing behind you, you should start to see real progress, though. That is where Rangers are already this summer.

Now, the last couple of deals that the Light Blues complete in the coming weeks will determine how serious a chance they have of winning the Premiership and stopping Celtic's attempts at clinching nine-in-a-row.

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When Gerrard arrived at Ibrox 12 months ago, the rebuilding job ahead of him was significant and 15 players had to be brought in as an ineffective squad that was not fit for purpose was quickly overhauled for relatively little outlay.

Overall, that recruitment process can be considered a success but the mistakes - the likes of Eros Grezda and Kyle Lafferty - were costly.

Neither will play any part this season and the handful of players that were left out of the trip to Portugal last week face fairly bleak futures at Ibrox as well.

Gerrard admitted in the Algarve that the squad will have to be trimmed and that will quickly become a priority for Director of Football Mark Allen this summer.

The main focus for now, though, is adding the finishing touches to a squad that has to challenge for the title and win silverware this term.

The strike rate was decent enough last summer, while the deals done for Steven Davis and Jermain Defoe in January were headline grabbing ones that should pay off this term.

Rangers have wasted little time in getting down to business ahead of Gerrard's second season and seven signatures, including that of Davis, have been secured already.

All of those brought on board will have a part to play in the coming months but Rangers now need a couple that instantly improve the team rather than raising the standard of the squad.

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The likes of Jake Hastie and George Edmundson have been signed with one eye on the long-term, while some fans have still to be convinced of the merits of bringing in Jordan Jones and Greg Stewart.

It is easier to see where Sheyi Ojo and Joe Aribo fit into the team and how they could become key players fairly quickly for Gerrard.

And if Rangers can get another loan for Ryan Kent over the line, the Ibrox boss will certainly not be short of options in the final third.

Those choices could be reduced if Alfreo Morelos moves on after two seasons in Light Blue and the deal to replace him could define Rangers' silverware ambitions.

It would be wrong for the Gers to bring in a bigger name just for the sake of it and Gerrard isn't the type of manager to be swayed by reputation over ability.

Proven, established strikers are, of course, hard to come by and are certainly not cheap but the acquisition of a forward with more of a track record than, with all respect, Jones, Hastie or Stewart, would be a real statement of intent.

The same can be said at the other end of the field. Gerrard now has three centre-backs in the shape of Edmundson, Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic but a fourth is needed.

Again, many fans would like to see a more experienced stopper brought in, someone who can inspire and lead by example, and also bring on Edmundson and Katic for the future at Ibrox.

The quality of the squad has been raised once again, but a couple of key additions could make all the difference now.

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The improvement in Rangers over the last year is clear and that progress seems set to continue in Gerrard's second campaign.

The next few weeks will give an insight into just how far the 39-year-old can take Rangers this term.

AND ANOTHER THING

AS transfer deals go, the one which finally brought Joe Aribo to Rangers from Charlton Athletic last week wasn't quite a saga.

It did seem to drag on at times, but the wait was finally worth it for boss Steven Gerrard as he landed one of his main targets.

Rangers had to be patient throughout the process as Aribo considered the options in front of him after a campaign in League One that really saw him establish himself.

In the end, the lure of working with Gerrard looks to have been the clincher for the midfielder.

If Aribo can produce the kind of form Rangers believe he is capable of and continue to improve and impress, he could have a major part to play in the Premiership title race in the coming months.

Helping Gerrard's side to the top flight silverware would be a contribution that would forever be remembered by supporters.

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But he could have a lasting impact off the park as well and clubs will be keeping a close eye on how he does with a view to making another move for him in the future.

Deals for up-and-coming players from England can pay off significantly for Scottish clubs and the Aribo move is exactly the kind of one Rangers should be making right now. They have a fine player on the park, and an asset on the balance sheet.

If Aribo does well, then everyone will win out of this one and a compensation package of around £300,000 will be a bargain. No wonder Charlton boss Lee Bowyer chucked his toys out of the pram.