Should Rangers make move for former £9M free agent star?

It cannot be denied that January’s transfer window was pretty impressive. We were all happy here at Ibrox Noise with the work done, especially Jason Cummings and Greg Docherty, but we were more than a little surprised no supplements were secured for either fullback slot.

While on paper Rangers have four, in the form of Declan John, James Tavernier, Lee Wallace and Lee Hodson, few supporters are entirely content with the depth in this position.

Lee Wallace is perennially unfit, and getting on a little, while Lee Hodson will never be much more than squad filler for both flanks. Declan John has impressed at left back but if he or Tavernier sustain an injury, Lee Hodson and Lee Wallace are possibly not adequate enough replacements.

While we have no answer in this piece for left back, there have been murmurs over one ex-Ranger who has been confirmed as a free agent come May, and who is currently in outstanding form for his present employer.

Alan Hutton left Rangers in 2008, breaking so many fans’ hearts given he was by some distance our best player at the time. He has had a nomadic career in England ever since, with spells at Villa, Spurs, Sunderland and Bolton, while even finding himself in Mallorca for a time.

The 33-year old right back remains a Bear at heart, with stories of his occasional trips back north to support the Famous, and while he is evidently past his absolute best, his tremendous form is evidence he still has something.

Reportedly the only reason Villa are letting him (and anyone else out of contract) go is to remain above Financial Fair Play rules, which means if Rangers are wise, Graeme Murty and Mark Allen would make re-signing such a fine player an absolute priority.

It would be an excellent start to the summer, knowing a good quality ex-player was coming back, one who knows what Rangers are all about and who has made his money in football therefore presumably could accept a slightly lower wage.

If Hearts can nab both Naismith and Lafferty, Alan Hutton is absolutely not beyond Rangers.

Defence certainly needs one more experienced player – Tavernier, Bates and John are all fairly young and a seasoned campaigner like Hutton would be another excellent signing boost for the Light Blues.

We know there will be competition for his services, but Hutton is one of us – if we make the move for him, we are sure to be high priority.