Sources: Rangers in pole position to beat Celtic to Bailey Rice signing
Rangers are leading Celtic in the race to sign Motherwell sensation Bailey Rice, Football Insider understands.
The defender, 15, has been the subject of interest from both Glasgow giants as well as multiple English Premier League clubs this summer.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Rangers are emerging as favourites to land Scotland Under-17 international Rice.
The youngster will not turn 16 until October, but once he does then he will be able to sign his first professional contract.
It would be a major coup for Rangers if they can beat their city rivals as well as clubs south of the border to the Motherwell rising star.
Football Insider revealed earlier this year (28 March) that Brighton had joined the race to sign Rice - with English champions Man City also interested.
The youngster is a centre-back who can also operate in midfield - and the 15-year-old has played in a variety of roles in Scotland's Under-17 setup.
Rice has earned 14 caps at youth level for his country - including three appearances at the Under-17 European Championships.
Motherwell have produced a number of accomplished talents in recent seasons, with Celtic midfield star David Turnbull, Luton ace Allan Campbell, and Hartlepool winger Jake Hastie all coming through the ranks.
Nathan Patterson is the most notable academy product to emerge from the Rangers set-up recently.
The Scotland right-back earned the Ibrox club a reported £12million transfer fee in January.
Celtic have also struggled to hold onto their own youth talents, with the likes of Ben Doak, Kieran Tierney, and Leo Hjelde all leaving for the Premier League.
The Hoops beat Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title in the 2021/22 season, qualifying for the Champions League group stage.