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Rangers transfer news: Harry Watling set for Wednesday scouting mission as Giannis Kotsiras eyed
Rangers scouts will watch Panathinaikos defender Giannis Kotsiras in action on Wednesday evening as they continue plans to reinforce their back line this summer, according to Glasgow World.
The 30-year-old’s current contract at Panathinaikos will have a year remaining at the end of this season, and the attacking full-back has been watched by Harry Watling over the last two weeks.
The Rangers first-team coach is set to watch Kotsiras in action as the Greek side face PAOL Salonika on Wednesday evening (3 May).
Glasgow World previously reported (24 April) that Rangers believe the Greek international is capable of competing for the right-back berth at Ibrox, which is currently held by captain James Tavernier.
Watling is set to fly to Athens today and will submit a detailed report on Kotsiras when he returns to Glasgow.
Healthy competition needed.
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Although Tavernier has been a standout player for Rangers over the last few years and has rightfully been donning the armband this term, the lack of direct competition for his place in the team remains a worry.
Any footballer is likely to relax their standards if they have no competition for their place in their team, and Tavernier could certainly do with someone at Ibrox pushing him on a daily basis.
A move for Kotsiras therefore makes plenty of sense, and options such as this can add healthy rivalry within Beale’s somewhat stagnating first-team squad.
Rangers are expected to be busy this summer after the hugely disappointing season that has seen them drop 13 points off the pace at the top of the Scottish Premiership, with Beale mentioning as many as 12 players could be leaving the club.
Scouting missions such as this for Kotsiras are likely to be a frequent activity over the coming weeks and months, and it is pleasing to see the club planning ahead of the window opening instead of playing catch-up, as was often the case during Ross Wilson’s time at the club.
In other Rangers news, this pundit has shared what he has heard about a transfer for this ‘huge’ player