Celtic idol suggests real reason Rangers won Bailey Rice race after signing confirmed
Frank McAvennie has claimed Bailey Rice may have chosen Rangers over Celtic because of potential game time.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Celtic striker suggested Rice made the right decision choosing the Gers over the Scottish champions.
Motherwell confirmed (30 June) the departure of the 15-year-old from their youth side.
The midfielder rejected a professional contract in favour of joining Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side for an undisclosed fee.
As revealed by Football Insider (29 June), was also interest from clubs south of the border, as well as Glasgow rivals Celtic.
Rice will link up with Rangers’ under-18 side.
When asked if the teenager made the right choice, McAvennie told Football Insider: “If he thinks he’ll get a game at Rangers before Celtic, then fair play to him. He’s probably got more of a chance than playing at Celtic.
“With Goldson staying I don’t know where he’d play, if he’d even get a game for the first team. The defence has been good for them unless they’re selling Bassey or someone I don’t know.
“Maybe they’ll use him for cover but I think Rangers have to sell someone before they buy.
“Motherwell will have wanted a bit of money for him, no matter what way they look at it.
“I think Rangers have a few players they can offload to get money to buy players.“
Rice has earned 14 caps for Scotland at youth level.
He made three appearances at the under-17 European Championships.
In other news, Rangers have been backed to turn Ross Stewart’s head after journalist’s update.