Gordon Smith Slams Rangers’ £10m Transfer Gamble: “The Stats Just Didn’t Add Up I Wouldn’t Have Signed Him on a Free, Never Mind for That Fee!.

Former Rangers scout  Gordon Smith Slams Rangers’ £10m Transfer Gamble: “The Stats Just Didn’t Add Up I Wouldn’t Have Signed Him on a Free.

Former Rangers striker and ex-SFA chief Gordon Smith has delivered a brutal assessment of Rangers’ transfer strategy, insisting the club’s decision to spend up to £10 million on a young striker was a major gamble that never made statistical sense.

Smith, who also boasts extensive experience in scouting and player evaluation, admitted he was “shocked” by the signing, arguing that the player’s record simply didn’t justify the fee. His comments come as the 21-year-old continues to struggle for consistency, managing just one goal since his high-profile arrival at Ibrox.

“I was shocked by it, I’ll be honest, and I’ve done scouting courses as well,” Smith said.

“One of the first things you look for in a striker is goals scored. I wouldn’t have brought him in on a free transfer, never mind paid money for him, based on those stats.”

The transfer, overseen by Rangers sporting director Ross Thelwell, was intended as an investment in youth and potential. However, the deal has already come under heavy scrutiny, with supporters and pundits questioning the lack of immediate impact from a player brought in to bolster the attack.

Smith didn’t hold back in his criticism, suggesting that the Ibrox hierarchy ignored key scouting principles when deciding to make the move.

“He might come good eventually, who knows? But at that level, he was never worth that. That valuation was out of order. He’s hardly played enough games, and his goalscoring record did not stack up. I just couldn’t understand that signing whatsoever.”

The striker, who found the net against Kilmarnock last month, has failed to kick on in subsequent matches against Hibernian and Celtic, missing crucial chances in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park moments that have only intensified the debate over his signing.

Smith’s remarks strike at the heart of a growing concern among fans that Rangers’ recruitment strategy under Thelwell has leaned too heavily on potential rather than proven performance. For Smith, who has seen the game from every angle as a player, executive, and scout the warning signs were clear long before the deal was completed.

To illustrate his point, he recalled an experience from his playing days under Joe Royle at Oldham Athletic, when he was reminded that sometimes the only statistic that truly matters for a striker is goals.

“I remember going on loan to Oldham and thinking one lad looked the worst of the bunch. Joe Royle showed me his stats he didn’t do much else other than score, but he scored regularly. That’s a stat that’s crucial.”

Smith believes Rangers have ignored that same logic in their latest attacking gamble, arguing that the basics of recruitment especially for a goal-scorer should never be overlooked.

> “You can talk about movement, potential, or athleticism, but at the end of the day, a striker’s job is to score goals. That’s the one thing you can’t compromise on,” he added.

Despite the criticism, sporting director Thelwell has stood by his decision. Speaking during the unveiling of new manager Danny Rohl, he praised the forward’s long-term potential and urged patience from supporters.

“Youssef has been a top talent for a number of years,” Thelwell said. “Sometimes you have to take a player who’s at the start of their journey, help them grow and develop, and then make that step to help us win going forward.”

Rangers, currently under pressure to bounce back from their recent cup exit, will be hoping Thelwell’s faith is rewarded sooner rather than later. With the club chasing success on multiple fronts, every missed chance is magnified and so too is the debate surrounding their summer spending.

For Gordon Smith, though, the verdict is simple: in football, talent and potential mean little unless they translate into goals. Until that happens, the £10 million deal will remain one of Rangers’ most questioned transfers in recent years