Rangers and Celtic want to sign Premier League defender in January transfer window
Rangers are set to go head-to-head with Celtic for the signing of Nottingham Forest defender Scott McKenna, according to talkSPORT.
Writing in their live transfer blog (4 January, 14:25), the news outlet report that the central defender has been frozen out at the City Ground and is set to leave the club this month.
His contract is due to expire in the summer and McKenna is now likely to leave in January, with a return to Scotland the most likely destination.
“Nottingham Forest centre-back Scott McKenna is wanted by both Rangers and Celtic, talkSPORT understands,” they wrote.
“The Scotland international has not played for Forest since September. The 27-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, has been frozen out of the squad following a contract dispute.
“He looks likely to leave the Premier League outfit this month and could be heading back to his homeland.”
Strength
Rangers have had a fantastic defensive record so far this season with just 11 goals conceded in 20 games in the SPFL.
However with Connor Goldson having injury issues, Leon Balogun being in the twilight of his career and both Ben Davies and John Souttar struggling to make an impact this could be something the boss wants to do.
McKenna is a fantastic defender who has experience at the highest level and is in the prime of his career, and with just six-months on his deal that would be a brilliant bit of business.
Getting him on the cheap would strengthen our squad but also weaken Celtic as they plan to bring him in to strengthen their squad too, which is always a positive.
This could be a great move but centre-back shouldn’t be the priority during this transfer window, so as long as it doesn’t prevent other deals being done then this would be perfect.
In other Rangers news, club could be forced to give up chunk of January transfer fee amid fresh development.