‘Rangers to sign next Virgil van Dijk’ after new owners’ reveal
Rangers are expected to be active in this summer’s transfer window to back new boss Russell Martin as a new era at Ibrox gets underway.
The 39-year-old has arrived as head coach just days after 49ers Enterprises and Andrew Cavenagh completed a majority takeover at the Glasgow giants.
Football Insider revealed on Monday (2 June) that Rangers’ new owners are expected to make big transfer funds available to Martin.
It is believed the majority of the new £20million share issue will be reflected in the transfer budget for their new manager this summer.
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has suggested where Rangers should look first as they look to mount a challenge against Celtic.
Rangers told to sign talent from overseas this summer
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted the Gers must follow their rivals’ model of signing undervalued talent from abroad.
Kevin Thelwell has arrived as the new sporting director at Rangers following a tricky, but ultimately successful, spell at Everton in a similar role.
Wyness cited Premier League icon and former Celtic star Virgil van Dijk as an example of the talent which can be brought through in the Scottish Premiership.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Rangers will apparently have close to £20million to spend.
“They’ve got to follow, to a degree, the Celtic model of buying undervalued young players from abroad.
“Celtic have done really well at that in the last four or five years, and have sold those players on at a really high level.
“You can even go back to Virgil van Dijk, he came through at Celtic – people forget. They’ve unearthed some gems, and Rangers have got to get to that level.
“They’ve got to start shopping in those foreign markets.”
Rangers respond to Everton’s Diomande interest
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 6 June that Martin wants to build his new-look Rangers team around Mohamed Diomande – and will reject any approach from Everton.
Rangers believe there is “more to come” from Diomande next term, and Martin is keen for the Ivory Coast international to develop further before eventually being sold.
Everton have been linked with the midfielder with Nico Raskin also attracting Premier League interest.
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