Emir Dilaver reveals reason for Rangers snub, ‘I didn’t even blink’
Emir Dilaver has revealed his reason for turning down a move to Rangers in 2018 after having the chance to join Steven Gerrard.
The now-21-year-old central defender was the subject of transfer interest from the Ibrox club, having been made a “very good” offer, but he turned it down for a move to Dinamo Zagreb.
While the Gers managed to lift the Scottish Premiership title under Gerrard, Dilaver won three consecutive titles in the Croatian first division before joining Rijeka, who are currently top of the league.
Speaking to SportKlub [25 December], Dilaver said: “When I was at Lech Poznan, I got a very good offer from Rangers. I spoke to the club president, he was delighted with the compensation from Rangers and said they were waiting for me to sign.
“But then Dinamo Zagreb manager Nenad Bjelica spoke to me and told me he wanted to move there instead. I told our president, ‘Don’t bother with Rangers. If I’m going anywhere – I’m only going to Dinamo.
“The guys at the club looked at each other in astonishment, thinking I was kidding… and I didn’t even blink. I told them I’m not going to Glasgow.”
Emir Dilaver misses out on Rangers move after 2018 snub
Few players are given the opportunity to play for the great Scottish side, and while Dilaver was handed his chance on a plate, he turned it down to stay in Croatia.
There is no telling how his career in Scotland would have gone, or even where it would have taken him after, but his experience and knowledge certainly would have been a welcome addition to the squad.
Now, at 33 years of age, any dream of moving to Ibrox is dead and buried, with Philippe Clement rebuilding the current squad, even if he is looking for a new defender.
With John Souttar’s injury worse than first feared, Clement may have no other opportunity but to dip back into the January transfer market and attempt to find a cheap option.
That will not be a simple task, especially considering the limited funds at Clement and Nils Koppen’s disposal but there may be no other choice, given the current situation at Ibrox.
While Leon Balogun is a talented leader, he is unable to play multiple matches per week without the risk of injury, and Robin Propper has yet to adapt to life in Scotland. A new centre-back is a must in January.
In other Rangers news, one Ibrox star is edging ever-closer to a January exit.
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