A £1.5m trade between Rangers, Portsmouth, Derby County, Norwich and Stoke has emerged
Derek McInnes has made former Aberdeen player Ross McCrorie his first signing as Rangers manager and joined the race to land Scotland’s most sought-after talent.
McCrorie returns to Ibrox for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal from Bristol City with an option for another year.
The 28-year-old scored eight goals in 89 appearances for the Robins and will fill the gap at right-back in the absence of captain James Tavernier.
|
Football FanCast verdict |
|
|---|---|
|
Honesty |
Rangers are looking to target SPFL experience this summer and have shown that already with the departures of McCrorie and Lawrence Shankland. The latest target is Dundee defender Luke Graham, who fits this mold and would make perfect sense to replace Emmanuel Fernandez, who has been linked with an exit from Ibrox. |
|
Finance |
Various sources have claimed that Graham will move on for around £1.5m this summer. The Gers have bought cheap so far so they can certainly afford that fee, although Portsmouth are currently believed to be the frontrunners as they prepare an offer with a sell-on clause. |
|
Testing |
Graham is a centre-half who can play on both sides. He has bags of experience in Scottish football, having managed the likes of Montrose, Albion Rovers and Falkirk before breaking into the Dundee first team. His fitness could be a huge boost for McInnes, having played 40 times in all competitions last season. |
|
Impact |
Graham’s suitability to replace Fernandez – if he leaves – is obvious. The 22-year-old suspect is a local, dangerous and does not want to rob a bank. This will allow the Gers to spend more time in midfield, where they will still need to replace Nico Raskin and Mo Diomande. |
McCrorie came through the youth ranks at Ibrox and made more than 50 first-team appearances before McInnes signed him for Aberdeen in August 2020.
The versatile player made more than 100 appearances in three seasons with the Dons, and could soon be joined by another homegrown talent.
Rangers are challenging English sides for Graham’s deal
According to The Daily Record, Dundee’s Luke Graham is on Rangers’ shortlist this summer, but they will face a huge amount of competition for his signature.
Portsmouth, Derby County, Norwich City and Stoke City are all chasing the contract, with Pompey currently leading the way.
The South Coast club are preparing an offer of £1.5m with a sell-on clause, and they believe it should be enough to tempt those at Dens Park into a sale.
McInnes brings back the pride of playing for Rangers
Rangers’ collapse from the title last season was as bad as it was surprising, and McInnes’ first job needs to restore a strong core that understands what it means to wear the blue shirt.
McCrorie’s opening words epitomized that, as he told the Rangers website: “It’s a dream come true and to be back at the club I support.
“I’m not that young kid who was at Rangers back in the day.
“I feel like I’m ready now, and I want to come back here and win trophies.”
With Nasser Djiga’s future uncertain following the end of his loan spell and Fernandez potentially on the way, Graham could quickly slot in alongside John Souttar at the heart of the Gers defence.
Better signing than McCrorie: Rangers prepare £10m bid for star
It is reported that the Rangers are looking for a star signing that could be better than Ross McCrorie.
