Glasgow Rangers’ recruitment has no doubt come under the microscope of late, with the Ibrox outfit having perhaps struggled to adequately improve the starting XI in recent years, while also seeing the likes of Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo head in the other direction.

The Old Firm giants have no doubt not been aided by their failure to snap up potential targets, with the Glasgow side seemingly set to have notable regret over their inability to get Croatia international Lovro Majer through the door.

Reports back in January 2020 suggested that the playmaker was a target for then-boss Steven Gerrard, with the England international having been keen to prise the emerging talent from Dinamo Zagreb.

As it proved, the Light Blues were unable to get that deal over the line as the highly-rated asset stayed put in his homeland for a further 18 months – racking up 44 goal involvements in just 99 games in that time – before joining Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais in the summer of 2021 for a fee of around £10m.

The 5 foot 9 ace – who had also been linked with Celtic in previous years – has since gone on to flourish during his time in France, scoring eight times and laying on 12 assists in 55 games in all competitions.

The 24-year-old – who has two goals and three assists to his name in 19 games this season – has arguably been one of the best-performing assets on the continent in certain metrics, proving himself a real ball-playing asset as he ranks in the top 7% in Europe for dribbles completed, as well as in the top 2% for assists.

That sparkling form has now been translated onto the World Cup stage as the Zagreb-born ace has already made his mark on the tournament in Qatar, having scored off the bench to add late gloss to the scoreline in the 4-1 thrashing of Canada.

The £26k-per-week sensation – who has even earned comparisons to glittering compatriot Luka Modric – produced a fine finish at the back post to seal a thumping win for the 2018 finalists, lashing into the roof of the empty net in emphatic fashion.

That strike has ensured that Majer now has four goals to his name in just 13 appearances for his country at senior level, while his quality is also showcased by the fact that he is now said to be worth as much as £52m – amid interest from Premier League side Arsenal.

As far as the Gers are concerned, new boss Mick Beale would no doubt loved to have had such a talent at his disposal, with Rangers having seemingly missed a trick by not securing the midfield maestro’s services at the time.