Sources: Rangers and Leeds United make moves to sign ‘exceptional’ Josh McDonald
Rangers and Leeds United are working to sign highly-rated youngster Josh McDonald, sources have told Football Insider.
The 16-year-old midfielder is a product of Hamilton Academical and has attracted attention from Rangers and Premier League clubs this season.
Football Insider understands that Leeds have already been in contact with the player and his family to try and tempt him to move south of the border.
Rangers scouts have also watched the young talent on multiple occasions in the hope that he would be willing to stay in Scotland.
McDonald has represented the Scotland Under-18s on the international stage after coaches deemed him an “exceptional talent” and promoted him two years above his current age group.
He has already tallied up seven caps for his nation at Under-18 level.
Rangers are hoping to add him to their academy setup at Ibrox, which in recent years has seen significant investment.
New Rangers first-team coach Neil Banfield insists Michael Beale is ready to hand youngsters a chance to shine in Glasgow, describing the younger players in the squad as the “bedrock for building a successful team”.
Leeds have also heavily invested in their academy in recent years, with the likes of Sonny Perkins and Joe Gelhardt being signed and introduced to the Yorkshire club’s youth teams.
McDonald could be the latest Scottish talent to head to England, with Rory Wilson, Emilio Lawrence and Dire Mebude among a handful of stars who have swapped Scotland for the Premier League in recent years.
In other news, Rangers set to sell forward with serious off-the pitch disciplinary issues