Wages the obvious issue for Rangers transfer of former academy product Billy Gilmour – journalist
Daily Record journalist Fraser Wilson believes that the wages of Billy Gilmour would be a major stumbling block for Rangers if they tried to sign the Brighton midfielder this summer.
Former Ibrox legend Barry Ferguson urged the Gers to re-sign Gilmour – who is a product of the Rangers academy – in his column for the Daily Record (24 March) and even suggested a loan move could be productive to reignite his once-promising career.
Since sealing his £9million move to Brighton last summer, the 21-year-old has featured seven times, amassing just 159 minutes of Premier League action and struggling to build on the promising start to his professional career at Chelsea.
Reacting to Ferguson’s idea in the Daily Record (Saturday, 25 March, page 59), Wilson suggested that although Gilmour would suit Rangers down to the ground, but his wages could be a major issue.
He wrote: “It might be the right time for Gilmour. His career has stalled a little and regular games at Ibrox, where he would see lots of the ball domestically and get a taste of European football, could be beneficial.
“Wages would obviously be an issue.”
Interesting option
Although Michael Beale already his strengthened his midfield ranks with the signature of Nicolas Raskin in the January transfer window, Gilmour does look too good a prospect to pass on if Rangers are awarded the opportunity to sign him.
The 16-capped Scotland international is renowned for his prowess in possession of the ball, and considering the amount of possession that the Gers see in the Scottish Premiership, a move makes complete sense.
It is crazy to think that Gilmour is still only 21 years old, considering he has spent time at Chelsea, Brighton and Norwich City, but a move where he gains consistent minutes can help him take the next step in his career.
Although Rangers don’t possess the deepest pockets, Gilmour may consider taking lower wages if it meant he could be offered weekly minutes at Ibrox.
Whether the Scotsman is up to the level of the likes of Raskin and Ryan Jack is questionable, but nonetheless, the clamour to sign Gilmour will be echoing around the Ibrox faithful during the international break.
In other Rangers news, one first-team player is “likely to sign” a new deal, with his current contract expiring at the end of the season.