What has been Rangers biggest problem this season and last season? The defence. Quite astonishing vulnerability at set plays, especially aerial balls. We've all grown familiar with the feeling of dread in the pit of our stomach at every corner/ cross into out box and that doesn't make for enjoyable football spectating - or a healthy football team.
Le Guen's solution? Stick with Svennson alongside Hemdani and pass up the opportunity to buy Pressley - in other words place the entire responsibility for aerial domination of the backline to an unproven youngster lacking in confidence and experience of British football, whilst playing him alongside a midfielder alien to the centre defensive position, then refuse to buy a player steeped in the presence, experience and leadership the club's rearguard so sorely need.
Watty's answer? Bring in two experienced and proven central defenders who know the rigours of the British game back to front, as well as a rock-solid reliable Scottish international defender with youth on his side. So far so good.
The purchase of Thomson is also a shrewd move. Forget his track-record for a second - every Gers fan knows that Hemdani does not contribute enough to the cause - he is not a dominating enough force in front of the back four to justify the fact he never passes the ball more than 10 yards. Thomson will fit right into this role, providing more heart, energy, pace and power than Hemdani.
All the players Smith has brought in are characters capable of contributing to a united spirit and cohesiveness in the dressing room. The talk of a rift between Scottish players - Barry and co., and the Foreigners, will hopefully be a thing of the past. Rangers are a Scottish/British club and need a Scottish/British spirit to the dressing room.
The transfer window has NOW closed. A lot of chat went on about whether McCulloch and Gow. I would have preferred Naismith to either of these two players. He has what our front line is lacking - pace and skill. Nacho is not the answer, and Naismith could fill his boots nicely. Gow is a stylish player but does he have the pace to partner Boyd? McCulloch has never previously caught my eye and I fear such interest is predominantly 'Scottish player in the Premiership so he must be brilliant syndrome'.
Paul Hartley's capture would have been welcomed by me. He might have been a boyhood Celt but the passion he shows playing for Hearts is clear to everyone and who can forget Mo Johnston? Plus we all know that all Celts fans secretly crave pulling on the blue jersey of The Rangers anyway! Steven Whittaker is another player Rangers should have bent over backwards to get - I know its a cliche but Alan Hutton is not convincing enough, in defence of attack, to be the sole owner of the right-back slot.
Priorities this season are qualification for the Champions League, beating Celtic and winning the UEFA Cup - all achievable, all worth fighting for, and no mention of 'points-gap' in sight.
Not a lot to ask!