Rangers have officially lost out on Auston Trusty after refusing to budge on a £3M bid, as Sheffield United leapt in ahead and got a £5M bid, Arsenal’s asking price, accepted.

The American will now move to Bramall Lane permanently in what is a bitter blow for Rangers, with Michael Beale vividly seeking a quality left centre-half and strongly earmarking the ex-Colorado stopper as a big answer.

Sadly, former Hibs manager Paul Heckingbottom came straight out with a bid matching Arsenal’s demands on Trusty, and that seals that deal once and for all.

Arsenal have definitively accepted the offer and it’s up to Trusty to agree terms.

It’s a big loss for Rangers – frankly we needed the lad.

Rangers’ defence has been a catastrophe over preseason, and with just Ben Davies and Johnly Yfeko as options for the left side of central defence, clearly the depth there is literally dreadful, and while we rate hugely John Souttar and Leon Balogun, there is a concern about fitness there and how reliable either of them can be over the course of a full season.

Getting in a major alpha marquee left sided defender was a big ask for this summer, and Trusty, a huge contender, slipped through our fingers.

Now attention is on Nottingham’s Jonathan Panzo as the only real remaining option, and he’s one fans have huge doubts about following his difficult playoff cameo for Coventry.

We’re probably not ready to go into the new season with the defence we currently have, so it really is quite important Beale finds someone who can hop in by the weekend.

But clearly, sadly, it will not be Auston Trusty.

Pity that.