Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha has a massive job ahead of him this summer as he tries to not only ship out underperforming stars at Ibrox but attract players of quality to the club that will help him in his aim of closing the gap on arch-rivals Celtic.

Resources are scarce at the Light Blues so Caixinha needs to know that every player coming in can do the job he requires them to do. A key strategy in ensuring that will be targeting players he has worked with before, players he respects and who respect him.

Coming into Rangers and changing the training culture of the club is not proving to be easy so he needs a core group of players who know how he works and how to adapt themselves to his methods.

Having worked in seven different countries throughout his career, the Ibrox boss has likely built up a large network of former players and contacts, so how does he leverage that and who should he target?

Here are FOUR former Caixinha players that we reckon could make an impact at Rangers...

Rashid Sumaila

Rashid Sumaila is a Ghanain international who was one of Pedro Caixinha’s most trusted players at former club Al-Gharafa. A central defender with committed tackling skills and a strong physical presence, he is out of contract with parent club Al-Qadsia at the end of the season.

He has won 6 caps for his country and in 2011 won the ‘Best Defender Award’ with the Ghana Football Association.

This is an area of the team that Rangers badly need improvement in with the likes of Rob Kiernan just not getting the job done this season. With Clint Hill and Philippe Senderos also said to be leaving Rangers this summer, the Ibrox side could do with some fresh blood in the heart of defence.

At 24, Sumaila has his whole career ahead of him and taking the big step to move to Glasgow could be the making of him.

Krisztian Nemeth

Hard working striker Krisztian Nemeth also played for Pedro Caixinha at Al-Gharafa and has scored 13 goals in 26 appearances for the club. With his contract up in the summer, will Pedro Caixinha be tempted to give him the call to come to Glasgow?

Formerly of Liverpool, the 28 year old has led a nomadic life as a professional footballer, never really finding a home, having played for 11 teams already in his career. Perhaps a move to Rangers and Ibrox would provide him a footballing home to ply his trade.

He likely has the quality to be a hit in the Scottish Premiership with 30 caps for his country including experience at international tournaments like Euro 2016.

Far from what you would call a poacher, his grafting style could fit Caixinha's Rangers perfectly. They definitely need some new talent in attack with the likes of Martyn Waghorn and Joe Garner simply not up to the task for the majority of this season.

Vladimir Weiss

A name very well known to Rangers fans, Vladimir Weiss would be reunited with both manager and club should he make the return to Glasgow. He starred on the wing for the Ibrox boss at Al-Gharafa and of course had an exceptional title-winning season at Rangers in 2010/11, on loan from Manchester City.

Ultimately a move for the winger may come down to what funds are available to the manager in the summer but if Dave King can show a bit of ambition and find a few million quid, a move for the likes of Weiss would certainly prove popular with supporters, who know he has the quality to be a success in the Scottish Premiership.

Since leaving the Gers he's had spells at Espanyol, Olympiakos and Pescara. With close to 60 caps for his country, it's clear his ability hasn't faded.

Jose Abella

Jose Abella is a one club man, having been at Santos Laguna for the entirety of his career. At the age of 23 he may fancy a move away from his homeland and where better than reuniting with the manager who brought Santos Laguna great success?

He was part of Pedro Caxinha's Mexican title-winning side, starring on the right hand side of defence, an area Rangers fans have been dying for improvement in all season.

James Tavernier isn't the most popular man at Ibrox after a series of poor defensive performances cost the Light Blues plenty of goals. His positioning is a real detriment to the team sometimes and improving this area of the team would likely go down well.

A former Mexican youth international, Abella clearly enjoyed his spell with Caixinha, telling ESPN last year:

"The fundamental thing was the way he lives games, the passion in each action ... it helped me a lot. The training was always based on intensity and exercises with the ball. I learned a lot and will be eternally grateful."

Can Rangers capitalise on that good relationship and bring a quality right-back to the club?