Rangers news: McLeish ‘amazed’ by Ibrox transfer business as ‘mass exodus’ fears raised
Alex McLeish has raised fears of a “mass exodus” at Rangers after just two first-team sales during the January transfer window.
The former Gers manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he is “amazed” the Light Blues have not cashed in on more of their senior stars in recent windows.
Rangers sold Nathan Patterson to Everton for a club-record fee last month, while Juninho Bacuna joined Birmingham City.
Several first-team players were linked with moves away from Ibrox.
McLeish suggested Patterson’s big-money exit may have helped the Gers keep their star men on board.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I’m amazed at Rangers holding onto all these players for such a long time and not making any big transfer money.
“Nathan is a very unusual one, for a kid just to come right from the academy. He made some great appearances and then was instantly attracted to a Premier League team in England. Everton are one of the biggest ones, at that.
“That was probably something Rangers never expected.
“They would have possibly been bracing for one of the players who has been very consistent over the last couple of years to go and be recognised by one of the teams down in England or Europe.
“We’ve been hearing many, many stories. They have done well to keep all these guys.
“God forbid they play, they get to an even higher level and then there’s a mass exodus.”
Patterson, 20, played just 27 times for Rangers’ senior side after breaking through the youth ranks.
He also has six caps for Scotland under his belt.
In other news, Football Insider can reveal London club have set sights on signing Rangers star.