NOEL WHELAN MAKES CELTIC TRANSFER ADMISSION INVOLVING WEST BROM FORWARD AFTER RECENT COMMENTS

The future of West Brom’s Charlie Austin could be up in the air heading into the summer transfer window, with Football Insider previously reporting that he could be available for a fee in the region of just £2m.



Austin has struggled for consistent game time with the Baggies this term, and has been Slaven Bilic’s second-choice striker for much of this year’s campaign in the Championship.


The former Southampton and QPR striker has recently admitted on the Open Goal Podcast that he would be keen to play his football in Scotland for either Celtic or Rangers at some stage in the future.







A move to Celtic Park shouldn’t be ruled out by any stretch of the imagination either, with the future of Odsonne Edouard being the hot topic of conversation at this moment in time.


The Sun have recently reported that both Arsenal and Everton are interested in landing his signature ahead of next season. Celtic have reportedly been contemplating the possibility of signing former Sunderland man Josh Maja, who is currently with French side Bordeaux.


Speaking in an interview with Football Insider, Noel Whelan felt as though Celtic should target Austin as their main priority in the summer transfer window, before admitted that the striker has the right attributes to succeed in Scottish football.


“I would go with Charlie Austin. He is a proven striker and I think he would do really well in Scotland. They need that kind of presence up-front as well.


“There is more in Charlie Austin, I really think if you play him week in week out he would do well.”


“If Edouard goes there is a space there for him. Somebody that can hold the ball up, get onto the end of crosses. He has scored goals throughout his career and he would be my choice.”


I think he’d be a good addition to the Celtic squad next season.


Austin has already voiced his intentions to play his football with either the Bhoys or arch rivals Rangers before he reaches the end of his playing career.





Therefore, Celtic should definitely be targeting a move for Austin in the summer, as a deal is much more likely to go through without any problems or delays.





Austin has a proven goal record at the majority of clubs he has played for, and I think he’d be a good enough replacement for Celtic if Edouard departed in the summer.

REVEALED: THE FORMER CELTIC PLAYER EYEING MORELOS SIGNING

According to Football Insider, Kolo Toure is proving ‘integral’ in the chase Leicester City are giving to try and sign Alfredo Morelos from Rangers in the summer transfer window.


The Ivorian defender played for the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Celtic during his career as a footballer – and has worked with Brendan Rodgers on more than one occasion.


Indeed, he is now a coach under Rodgers at Leicester City and the report is suggesting that the former defender is really pushing the Foxes to try and sign Morelos in the coming months from Rangers.





The Colombian has had another strong campaign at Ibrox and, though the goals dried up just before the break in the campaign, he does look as though he could play in the Premier League or at a similar level.





Keeping him again this summer will be tough, especially if a club like Leicester come calling with their top flight riches and Champions League football, but the Gers will at least be able to ask for a significant sum of cash for the forward.

TOP 6 BEST RANGERS STRIKERS FROM THE LAST 10 YEARS

The last ten years certainly proved dramatic for Rangers as a football club, but heading into 2020 and a new decade there will be hopes that a return to the summit of Scottish football will be on the cards.

Scotland’s most frequent league champions, Steven Gerrard will be hoping that he can be the man to lead them to number 55.

It looks difficult this season, though, and he might be looking to add to his squad in the summer.

Away from that, though, in this current lock down we’ve been looking at some of the best Gers attackers in the last 10 years – with this six coming up…

6. Martyn Waghorn

Waghorn was top scorer for the Gers in 15/16, averaging a goal every 107 minutes in the Championship. He helped the side return to the top flight, with him also the club’s top scorer in the Scottish FA Cup that season as well.

5.Kris Boyd

Boyd was a fine Rangers goal-scorer – but largely in the decade from 2000 to 2009. Even so, the 09/10 season gets him in this list with him scoring 23 goals in 31 top flight league games for the Gers – a goal every 100 minutes.

4.Kenny Miller

Miller hit 21 goals in 18 games in the 10/11 season – form that saw him move away from the club for a second time. His third spell eventually saw him help the club back into the top flight, with him proving their top scorer in the 16/17 season.

3.Nikica Jalevic

Jelavic could well have been higher on this list had he been at Rangers longer than he was.Everton snapped him up after the goals and assists flowed during his time at Ibrox. A very gifted attacker during his prime.

2.Jermain Defoe

Defoe has had to contend with moving Alfredo Morelos out of the side during his time at Ibrox but he’s played some decent minutes and that shows there’s still life in him.His football brain and finishing remain as strong as ever, and he’s proven a hit signing under manager Steven Gerrard.

1.Alfredo Morelos

Morelos has to be number One. He’s had another decent season and the last few campaigns have been hugely impressive – bar the number of red cards chalked up.

He’s a huge talent and though the goals have dried up in recent games, he’s certainly looking capable of being a shining star for years to come.

RANGERS SET TO DOUBLE THEIR MONEY BY SELLING KEY ASSET

Quoted by the Sunday Post, former Manchester City striker Rolando Bianchi has suggested that Lazio could be an ideal move for Ianis Hagi with Rangers potentially in line to double their money with the winger.

Reports in Spain, via the Sunday Post, suggest that the winger will be signed by the Gers for £4.5m in the summer, before the Light Blues then sell him on for potentially double that with some of Europe’s biggest sides thought to be taking a look.

And, according to Bianchi, Lazio could be the ideal destination for him next, after leaving Ibrox.

The ex-Torino attacker said:

“In my opinion, Lazio would be a very good move for him, and one which will hold plenty of appeal.

“Simone Inzaghi is among the best coaches in Europe when it comes to improving the players under his charge.”

Hagi has quickly highlighted his talents since arriving in Glasgow and Gers fans are naturally keen to see him stay put.

Whether he does for much longer, though, remains to be seen with the way things seem to be shaping up with him.

4 RANGERS PLAYERS WE COULD SEE LEAVE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS

The current ituation has seen football halted, leaving Steven Gerrard’s Rangers sat in second place, 13 points behind Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic.

Gerrard’s side have been largely consistent this season, but they have struggled to keep pace with Neil Lennon’s side in the race for the league title.

Celtic are expected to go on a lift the title this term, leaving former Liverpool midfielder Gerrard with a few interesting decisions to make over the summer.

Who could leave? Well, we have identified FOUR players who could depart Ibrox….

                                                         

Jon Flanagan

Former Liverpool youngster Flanagan will see his current contract expire this summer at Rangers, and with a small amount of playing time this season, it could be that no new deal is offered.

The 27-year-old has made just five Scottish Premier League appearances this season for Rangers and a move back to England could develop.

Alfredo Morelos

Controversial striker Morelos has netted an impressive 12 goals in 26 games this season but his continued aggressive behaviour on the pitch is a concern.

Despite multiple sendings off, Morelos will undoubtedly gain interest from a whole host of clubs both from England and Europe.

The Colombian striker’s current contract with Rangers does not expire until 2023, meaning Steven Gerrard could sell for a nice price.

Matt Polster

A relatively unknown American defender, Polster arrived at Rangers after having a successful trial at the club, signing a deal in January 2019.

Having made just a handful of appearances this term, it is hard to see where the former Chicago Fire man fits in to Gerrard’s plans next season.

George Edmundson

22-year-old English midfielder Edmundson arrived from Oldham Athletic in 2019, but he has made very appearances for the Scottish Premier League side.

Another player in the team that will find playing time hard to come by next season, the youngster could look for a loan move in order to gain first team football.

ALAN HUTTON SUGGESTS RANGERS PLAYER COULD BE AXED THIS SUMMER

Former Rangers man Alan Hutton has commented on the future of Gers defender Matt Polster.

The defender has found life hard since arriving at Ibrox, making just ten appearances so far, and with no immediate pathway into the starting XI, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the player.

Asked what he thought might happen to the defender, Alan Hutton told Football Insider: “You just reminded me of him, even though he played the last couple of games when Tavernier was injured.

“It’s a strange one, I must admit. We haven’t really seen an awful lot of him, it’s difficult to judge and I’ve not really heard anything – he’s a guy who keeps himself to himself because I don’t really hear much.

“He came in out the cold and I wouldn’t say he had the best performances. You’re going from nowhere near it to being flung in for a few games and expected to be a ten out of ten – it’s difficult.

FIVE PLAYERS YOU MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN WERE IN RANGERS’ ACADEMY

Rangers have had their fair share of players that have come through the club’s academy ranks in the past, that have struggled to make a notable impact at Ibrox.

But there are a few that have gone on to make notable impacts elsewhere, much to the frustration of some of the club’s supporters.

It’s been a tricky few years for Rangers, as they battled their way back into the Scottish top-flight, where they now find themselves sat second in the Scottish Premiership table.

We look at FIVE players that you may have forgotten were in Rangers’ academy.

<strong>1.</strong><strong>Dylan McGeouch</strong>

McGeouch started his youth career with Rangers, but was unable to force his way into the first-team.

He was then snapped up by Celtic, and featured for their senior side before moving to Hibernian.

The midfielder made a good impression there as well, as he then departed in favour of a move to Sunderland. He’s now playing his football for Aberdeen.

<strong>2.Liam Kelly</strong>
Kelly came through Rangers’ youth ranks before leaving the club in 2018.

He didn’t make a single senior appearance for the Scottish side, before departing in favour of a move to Livingston back in the summer of 2018.

He made a real impact with them as well, before earning a move to Championship side QPR.

<strong>3.Kane Hemmings</strong>
Hemmings moved to Rangers from non-league side Tamworth in 2008.

He did eventually feature for the Gers first team, whilst they were playing in the lower leagues in Scotland, but left the club in 2013 when his contract expired.

He has since gone on to play for the likes of Barnsley and Notts County but is now playing for Dundee.

<strong>4.Lewis Morgan</strong>
Morgan started his youth career out with Rangers, but moved to St Mirren in 2013 after a nine-year spell with the Gers.

The winger has since gone on to sign for Celtic after a hugely impressive spell with St Mirren, but has found game time hard to come by with the Bhoys in recent years.

He was sent out on loan to Sunderland, but has since move to American side Inter Miami.

<strong>5.Craig Beattie</strong>
Beattie signed for Rangers’ academy back in 1999 from Hearts, but only spent two years with the Gers before moving to rivals Celtic.

The forward went on to feature for the Celtic first team as well, and had brief spells in England with the likes of Swansea City, Barnet and Sheffield United.

His last spell in football was with Elgin City, but he hasn’t signed for a club since his departure in January 2019.