Kris Boyd urges Rangers to consider summer move for Graeme Shinnie
Kris Boyd has argued that Rangers should consider making a move for Derby County utility man Graeme Shinnie this summer.
The Gers confirmed earlier in the week that Andy Halliday will be leaving the club in the coming weeks, and Boyd believes that the 28-year-old Scot could be the ideal man to replace him.
The former Ibrox striker suggested that Shinnie’s versatility and his attitude on the pitch would make him a valuable addition to Steven Gerrard’s squad.
Initially throwing his support behind the Gers’ reported interest in Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson, the pundit added that he would like to see Shinnie in Glasgow too.
Writing in a column for the Scottish Sun, he said: “There’s another player I would consider, too. Someone I’ve mentioned in this column a few times down the years.
“He used to play for Aberdeen and managed to get into the Scotland set-up, which I’ve said before surprised me. That’s right, my old friend Graeme Shinnie.
“For all I doubted he was good enough for the international set-up — which I stand by — he knows Scottish football inside out and is someone who gives everything whenever he steps out on to the pitch. With Halliday gone he’s versatile enough to play in different roles.
“I may have given him a hard time down the years, but I still admire his attitude. It’s the kind Rangers will need in the next 12 months if they’re to finally stop Celtic winning title after title.”
Should the Gers make a move for Shinnie this summer?
You can certainly understand Boyd’s logic here.
Like Halliday, the Derby man can play in a number of different roles, and could add a decent level of cover in several key areas.
That being said, it is a little jarring to hear the ex-Ibrox man recommend a player who he himself has chastised in the past.
Boyd has made no secret of the fact that he doesn’t believe Shinnie is good enough to play for Scotland, and you have to ask yourself, if he isn’t good enough for the national side, is he really the sort of player we should be looking at to improve our squad?
The stats would seem to suggest that he would be a downgrade on what Rangers already had with Halliday too.
According to Wyscout, the Rams talent has averaged 18.67 fewer accurate passes per game this season, as well as 1.89 fewer dribbles, and 4.22 fewer crosses.
He also has fewer interceptions and fewer ball recoveries in his own half this term.
You can see the point Boyd is trying to make here, but if we’re serious about improving our squad this summer, we have to be looking at better players than Shinnie.
In other Rangers news, Romanian agent claims Gers have completed permanent deal for Hagi.