Three of Rangers’ seven summer signings – and none of their 11 departures – are central midfielders.
Yet they already had six on their books – nine if you include three who were out on loan.
Considering they are attacking midfielders, you can discount Thelo Aasgaard, who has just been to the World Cup with Norway, and Nedim Bajrami, who has failed to become a regular starter in his two years at Ibrox, as competition for the more defensively minded Devlin.
Likewise, Jose Cifuentes, Lyall Cameron and 20-year-old Paul Nsio, considering they have returned from Toronto, Aberdeen and Raith Rovers, respectively, without having suggested they are ready to make the step up.
Ivory Coast international Mohamed Diomande, whose form dipped in his second full season at Ibrox, is more a box-to-box man.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Raskin has looked more effective pushing forward for Rangers despite preferring to play just in front of the defence.
It was, though, in that latter role that the Belgium international received rave reviews at the World Cup, making it ever more likely that Rangers will look to cash in this summer on a player who has expressed his desire to move to a top-five league.
Given Raskin’s anticipated exit, it was no surprise McInnes would look to snap up Devlin given the Australian was a key player in their title challenge together with Hearts – especially as he was available for free.
However, Rangers have also added two more defensive midfielders – Dan Neil, who was out of contract with Sunderland, and Vanja Dragojevic, purchased from Partizan, where he was captain at the age of just 20.
That is before considering two more defensive midfielders already on Rangers’ books.
Scotland cap Connor Barron must have been relishing the arrival of his former Aberdeen manager as he seeks more regular starts, while Tochi Chukwuani is still bedding in after his January arrival from Sturm Graz.
Meanwhile, Rangers continue to be linked with a current Sturm Graz defensive midfielder, Ryan Fosso.
At least Jens Hjerto-Dahl, for whom Rangers have reportedly had bids rejected by Tromso, is more attack minded.
