‘It will get done’ – Ex-BBC pundit makes big Rangers transfer claim
Tam McManus claims Rangers and Aberdeen will reach an agreement for Scott Wright to move to Ibrox before the January transfer window closes.
On Monday, the Gers announced on their official website that they have agreed a pre-contract deal with Wright so that the 23-year-old attacking midfielder will move to Glasgow at the end of the season.
Nothing was mentioned about Wright joining the Premiership leaders this month as they hunt down title number 55 but according to ex-BBC Sportsound pundit McManus, it would make sense if all parties agreed a transfer this month.
“If it’s a nominal fee and it suits Aberdeen then I think they would do the business now,” said the former Hibernian player on PLZ Soccer’s Football Show.
“He’s not going to be 100 per cent committed [to Aberdeen] no matter what he says in the press. He’s going to be a Rangers player next season so is he going to go out diving into tackles and being fully committed for Aberdeen? I wouldn’t think so.
“It would suit everyone [to get a deal done this month] and they’ve also got Ross McCrorie up there and there might be an opportunity for Aberdeen to maybe loan a player from Rangers.
“Listen, I think it will get done before the end of the window. I know he’s signed a pre-contract but I think it will suit everyone for him to be a Rangers player this window.
“He’ll get a few months under his belt for he can really ger going next season so I would expect him to be a Rangers player this month.”
For the best
From everyone’s point of view, it would be best if the move happens sooner rather than later.
Derek McInnes may opt to avoid naming Wright in his teams and if the attacker does end up playing, he might not play with 100 per cent conviction, as pointed out by McManus.
If Rangers can welcome the former Scotland Under-21 international this month, they will know his development is in their hands and an extra few months at Auchenhowie and Ibrox will do him the world of good going forward.
Wright has had a good season at Aberdeen so far with the attacker earning 18 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and supplying five assists in the process.
According to stats by Wyscout, he could be quite the playmaker at Ibrox with only four non-Old Firm players completing more smart passes per 90 minutes than Wright this season [1.01].
Wright also ranks third in the Premiership for non-Old Firm players for deep completions per 90 minutes [1.43], which is a pass into a 20m area around the goal.
Steven Gerrard and Ross Wilson have done well to get this far with Wright but landing a deal this month will be a major boost for everyone involved.
In other Rangers news, the Gers could be handed a major boost towards their chances of re-signing this former Ibrox ace.