Rangers to loan out senior defender?

Rangers defender David Bates has been linked with a loan deal out, according to supposed ‘transfer expert’ Alan Nixon.

The stopper, 21, has been conspicuous by his absence this season, and despite being previously named by manager Pedro Caixinha as one of Rangers’ five key senior defenders (along with Fabio Cardoso, Bruno Alves, Danny Wilson and Ross McRorie) has failed to make the bench on a single occasion in five competitive domestic outings.

Nixon said:

“Rangers. Would let young David Bates go out on loan. Cheap deal for someone.”

It would mark a shift in policy from Pedro having previous used Bates liberally from Kilmarnock last season onwards, but would point to the Portuguese considering Alves, Cardoso and Wilson to be enough for the season as a whole, with McRorie and Aidan Wilson as backup.

With Transfer Deadline Day upon us, ideally Caixinha would want to replace Bates with a more steadfast first-team quality player, but whether he can get someone in on time is quite another matter.