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Birmingham boss John Eustace weighs as Rangers chase Dion Sanderson deal
John Eustace has ruled out Dion Sanderson moving to Rangers in January as he is “sure” the defender will be with Birmingham until the summer.
The Scottish Sun report in their 12.50pm update on Tuesday 3 January that Ross Wilson and John Park have been to watch the 23-year-old on loan from Wolves at St. Andrew’s, who would cost around £3million [Football Scotland, 1 January].
But the Blues apparently also want to pursue a permanent deal for Sanderson, and Eustace is confident that he will remain with his loan club for the duration of the season-long deal.
The Birmingham boss said, as per the Scottish Sun: “He is on loan with us until the end of the season. I haven’t been made aware of anything different. He has signed to us until the end of the season and I am sure he will be here to the end of the season.”
Frustration
That surely puts this one on ice at best since it appears Birmingham hold all the cards for the rest of the campaign.
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Perhaps Rangers can get involved in negotiations with Wolves in advance of the summer talks over the player’s future in a bid to rival Eustace and company, but will surely be at a disadvantage by then.
As long as Sanderson, who has made 24 appearances from the Championship side, is happy there then they will be at the front of the queue.
But with Birmingham currently languishing in 17th place, there is the potential for a Scottish title race to attract the player.
Either way, it doesn’t help Michael Beale with his injury hit back line now, and with the likes of John Souttar and Filip Helander due to be back eventually it may rule out another move for another centre-back at that stage.
In other Rangers news, a former FIFA referee has laid down the law on a major controversy in the Old Firm derby draw with Celtic.