Ben Godfrey: The incoming Rangers transfer who surprised Carlo Ancelotti

Rangers and the Ancelotti family have a recent history, though Carlo's comments on Ben Godfrey will matter more now.

In the summer of 2025, Rangers had looked to hire the five-time Champions League winners' son, Davide.

Davide Ancelotti, however, admitted it was Rangers that rejected him in favour of Russell Martin, a decision likely regretted in hindsight.

Turning to the present day, Rangers are set to sign defender Ben Godfrey, who also has his very own history with Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian was his manager when he was in the Everton dugout, and there were plenty of positive words issued.

And those comments could explain why the Ibrox club have now turned its attention to him.

What Carlo Ancelotti once said about Ben Godfrey

Godfrey is set to sign for Rangers, and his history with Ancelotti provides a glimpse into the type of player the Gers would be getting.

Ancelotti did not sign Godfrey himself, but he was extremely appreciative of the fact that Everton's scout had found him.

Speaking back in 2021, as relayed by the Liverpool Echo, the Italian said amid speculation over his debut on the international stage: "Gareth [Southgate] doesn't need advice from me but to see and watch Ben Godfrey at this moment, in this period, is a pleasure for any manager.

"He has surprised me because I didn't know him so well [when he signed]. He was a signing from the club, from our scouts, and he has been really good.

"He has been able to adapt very quickly to different positions."

For a manager who has coached the very best in world football, it is certainly high praise.

While Godfrey has struggled to get regular game time over the last few seasons, the move to Ibrox could help rekindle the form that once made even one of the greatest managers ever be surprised.

The hurdle that Godfrey must get over at Ibrox

With Derek McInnes set to get his man in Godfrey, the player will have plenty of work to do to make the move successful.

Since leaving Everton in 2024, the defender has not played much football by any stretch of the imagination.

In fact, he has featured in just 28 games since he joined Atalanta in 2024.

So, when as looks likely he joins Rangers, he will need to get rid of that rust as quickly as possible.

And his arrival early into the pre-season preparations will certainly hand him the perfect platform in order to do so.

Hopefully, after Nasser Djiga, Godfrey can yet again be another example of a successful loan move for Rangers as they eye the Scottish Premiership title.