Of Rangers’ seven summer arrivals, three are central midfielders, and none of their 11 departures played that role.
This adds to an already crowded area—six under contract, or nine if you include three who were out on loan.
As attack-minded players, Thelo Aasgaard—fresh from Norway duty at the World Cup—and Nedim Bajrami—still not a regular after two years at Ibrox—aren’t direct competition for the more defensive Devlin.
Similarly, Jose Cifuentes, Lyall Cameron and 20-year-old Paul Nsio have returned from Toronto, Aberdeen and Raith Rovers, respectively, without yet proving they’re ready to step up.
Ivory Coast international Mohamed Diomande, whose levels dipped in his second full Ibrox season, is better described as a box-to-box midfielder.
Nicolas Raskin, meanwhile, has looked more effective driving forward for Rangers, even if he prefers to sit in front of the defence.
It was in that deeper role that the Belgian earned rave World Cup reviews, which only increases the likelihood Rangers cash in this summer, given his desire to join a top-five league.
With Raskin expected to go, it made sense for McInnes to move for Devlin—key to their Hearts title push together—and especially so as he was a free agent.
Even so, Rangers have also brought in two more holding midfielders: Dan Neil, out of contract at Sunderland, and Vanja Dragojevic, signed from Partizan where he captained the team at just 20.
And that’s before considering two other defensive midfielders already in the squad.
Scotland international Connor Barron likely welcomed the arrival of his former Aberdeen manager as he chases more starts, while Tochi Chukwuani is still settling after his January move from Sturm Graz.
Rangers also continue to be linked with current Sturm Graz holding midfielder Ryan Fosso.
At least Jens Hjerto-Dahl—subject of reported rejected bids from Tromso—offers a more attack-minded option.