{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Rangers transfer news as Harry Watling sent on scouting mission for James Tavernier challenger Giannis Kotsiras
Giannis Kotsiras has emerged as a potential Rangers transfer target with Michael Beale looking to challenge captain James Tarvernier, Glasgow World reports.
The attacking right full-back is set to be watched by first team coach Harry Watling over the next two weeks to assess his suitability for Beale’s Gers squad.
The 30-year-old’s current contract at Panathinaikos will have a year left at the end of the season and the Light Blues are monitoring him for a potential move to Ibrox.
Barry Anderson reports for Glasgow World that Watling is due to watch the Greek international in one of two upcoming games as his club chase a first league title since 2010 – they are currently top, level on points with AEK Athens – and will submit a report once he returns from Greece.
Captain Tavernier is the “undisputed” starter at the position but Beale wants more depth in his squad as part of a “summer recruitment drive”.
Movement
Subscribe to Football Insider TV now
Nobody’s place in the Rangers team should be completely safe after two seasons where the club have fallen behind Celtic domestically.
With the Hoops dropping points for the first time since the 2-2 draw at Ibrox on 2 January with Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Motherwell, this weekend was an opportunity to at least narrow the gap and gain a psychological boost ahead of the Scottish Cup semi final, even if the title is long gone.
But Beale suffered defeat against the first side not named Celtic since his return to the club as manager with a disappointing 2-0 reverse at Pittodrie.
The Aberdeen defeat should make plain that the squad needs a lot of work and getting ahead of it before the season ends is the only way to go.
Tavernier reached his 100th Gers goal in the defeat at Parkhead on 8 April and remains highly effective much of the time, but he has been far from perfect himself.
A lack of any real competition for his place doesn’t push him, so proper back up who can challenge for playing time, and allow the skipper a rest every now and then, is a sensible idea, as one of a number of necessary arrivals this summer.
In other Rangers news, the first signing of the transfer window sounds like it has already been tied up.