Three of Rangers’ seven new arrivals this summer operate in central midfield, while none of the 11 players who have left play in that position.
The club already had six central midfielders in the senior squad, or nine when including the three returning from loan spells.
As attack-focused midfielders, Thelo Aasgaard, who recently represented Norway at the World Cup, and Nedim Bajrami, who has struggled to secure a consistent starting role during two seasons at Ibrox, are unlikely to challenge the more defensive Devlin directly.
The same can be said of Jose Cifuentes, Lyall Cameron and 20-year-old Paul Nsio, who have returned from Toronto, Aberdeen and Raith Rovers respectively without showing they are prepared for the next level.
Ivory Coast international Mohamed Diomande, whose performances declined during his second complete campaign at Ibrox, is better suited to a box-to-box role.
Nicolas Raskin, meanwhile, has appeared more influential when advancing up the pitch for Rangers, even though his preferred position is directly ahead of the back line.
However, it was in that deeper position that the Belgium international earned widespread praise at the World Cup, increasing the likelihood that Rangers will sell him this summer after he made clear his ambition to join one of Europe’s five leading leagues.
With Raskin expected to depart, McInnes’ decision to recruit Devlin was understandable. The Australian had been an important figure in their title pursuit at Hearts and was also available on a free transfer.
Rangers have nevertheless recruited two additional holding midfielders: former Sunderland player Dan Neil, who was available after his contract expired, and Vanja Dragojevic, signed from Partizan after captaining the club at only 20 years old.
That list does not include the two other defensive midfield options who were already part of the Rangers squad.
Scotland international Connor Barron may welcome being reunited with his former Aberdeen manager as he targets more frequent starts, while Tochi Chukwuani continues to adapt following his January move from Sturm Graz.
Rangers are also still being associated with Ryan Fosso, another defensive midfielder currently playing for Sturm Graz.
Jens Hjerto-Dahl, who has reportedly been the subject of unsuccessful Rangers offers to Tromso, would at least provide a more attack-oriented midfield option.
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