Rangers ordered to sign ‘truly special’ Billy Gilmour, told to throw kitchen sink at Brighton by pundit
Barry Ferguson has urged Rangers’ recruitment team to “throw the kitchen sink” at signing “truly special” Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Billy Gilmour.
The former Chelsea midfielder has endured a tough 2022/23 season at Brighton and Hove Albion after his £9million summer switch (Sky Sports, 2 September).
The 21-year-old’s fortunes have deserted him in the years since his emergence and he is now a forgotten man at the Amex despite remaining a regular pick for Steve Clarke’s Scotland set-up.
And Gers legend Ferguson says he’d be going all out to sign Gilmour if he was in the club’s recruitment team.
Writing in his column for the Daily Record [31 March], he wrote: “Billy Gilmour is something truly special. I’d go as far as to say he could make a real difference between Scotland just appearing at Euro 2024 in Germany and actually making a memorable mark on the entire tournament. Trust me, he’s that good.
“And, if I was in charge of recruitment at Rangers, I’d be throwing the kitchen sink at trying to give him something to think about. They’d be crazy not to give it a shot.
“Look, it might be too rich for my old club’s blood. I’m not sure if they could match the fee Brighton will demand and they’ll certainly struggle to pay the same level of EPL wages.
“But it’s not about making top dollar right now. It’s about what’s best for Gilmour’s career. If he got the chance to showcase his quality week in, and week out at Rangers he wouldn’t just play his way back into Clarke’s starting XI for the Euros – he’d be able to take his pick when it came to his next big transfer somewhere down the line.”
Get him in
Gilmour has indeed endured a difficult start to his bright career, not being a regular starter for any of the three clubs he’s featured at, and it’s a surprise he’s not a regular at the Amex stadium considering the amount of money Brighton spent on him and his suitability to Roberto De Zerbi’s progressive system.
However, his unique abilities and progressive style would sit Michael Beale’s system at Ibrox too, and it’s why the former QPR boss must make him his top target this summer as the club undergo a stark rebuild.
With both Ryan Jack and John Lundstram in and around their twilight years, the Scottish giants will desperately need to improve and rebuild their midfield options and Gilmour fits the bill right down to a tee.
He’s the ideal age profile, possesses the ability to thrive under Beale and his potential is something Rangers can benefit beautifully out of. Gilmour is also a leader of men at 21 which makes him perfect for Beale’s squad. Get him in.
In other Rangers news, a new up-and-coming manager has admitted he wants the Gers job.