Rangers are seeking the signature of Leeds United’s Charlie Cresswell after the club put in a bid for the 20-year-old defender, who impressed last season on loan at Millwall, before his season was ended early through injury.
The England U21 international, who has a market value in the region of £6M, has a very impressive 5 Premier League appearances for the Elland Road giants, which at his age is a good return, and that same season he put in a few cup appearances as well for the seniors too.
Rangers put in a feeler bid, unsurprisingly rejected, but the club have made a signal of intent over the 6ft 2 stopper, who, incidentally, is a righty.
The intended signing of another right-sided defender is a statement from Michael Beale that he’s not strictly relying on either of Connor Goldson or John Souttar, given both are injury cases and not 100% reliable.
In Goldson’s case that’s ‘not any more’ and in Souttar’s case, it’s never been untrue. So while Cresswell was injured some weeks ago and missed the rest of the season, the club is still planning to reinforce the rear given how few quality options Rangers have, and how even fewer are reliable now.
Indeed, Rangers effectively have zero defenders in the middle that Michael Beale can now count on to stay fit – Goldson had an injury-disrupted season, Souttar certainly did, and Ben Davies did as well, alongside simply not being up to scratch. And Leon King falls well short of being up to the standard needed now.
Ergo Beale is working now on defenders – Panzo, Trusty and Cresswell are among those he’s trying to bring in – he is well aware what we have isn’t enough and isn’t good enough, so the boss is trying to fix it to bring in players worthy of the short and up to overcoming Celtic.
And strong enough to put in a good shift in the Champions League too.
As for the amount bid for Cresswell, it was, as we say, a feeler, to see where the land lies – but the lad is a top defender who is verging on being a Premier League regular already. He already shone in his 5 appearances at that level with the doomed Leeds, and has strolled it with Millwall.
But can he handle the pressure of Rangers?
If we sign him, we’ll find out.