Rangers FC, the Scottish heavyweights, are rebuilding their squad under manager Pedro Caixinha in order to regain their lost status and knock fierce rivals Celtic FC off their perch to reconquer the Premiership throne. The Portuguese tactician has already been much active in the transfer window and secured deals for a number of resources who he will expect to help him achieve his season objectives. Caixinha is now keen to recruit a few experienced performers with Norwich City midfielder Graham Dorrans reportedly topping his priority list.
However, both the clubs have been engaged in an overstretched negotiation for the 30-year old Scottish international and Rangers are yet to match Canaries’ asking fee for the veteran midfielder. But, as per latest reports, Norwich have approached Rangers for 18-year old starlet Jamie Barjonas and the Scottish outfit are now considering a swap deal to bring Dorrans in.
Barjonas, the highly rated Scottish youth international, has progressed through the ranks of the Rangers Football Club since his move as a nine-year-old kid back in 2008. Following a series of impressive displays, the midfielder signed a new contract in March 2016 (that runs out next summer) and went on making three senior appearances in the Scottish Premiership.
Kieran Scott previously worked at Rangers under Mark Warburton, joined the Canaries back in May as a new head of their domestic scouting. He has closely monitored the progress of Barjonas and reportedly convinced Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber to secure a deal for the teenager. A move for Barjonas, thus, has reopened the negotiations and Rangers are in a quandary whether to include their prized asset in a swap deal for Dorrans.
Dorrans, who holds vast Premier League as well as Championship experience for West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City since 2008, will be handed a crucial role in Rangers’ midfield behind their attackers as he is expected to be explored as a bridge between their midfield and their forward line. Celtic already have the likes Stuart Armstrong and Callum McGregor for a similar purpose, whereas Rangers, being the age-old rivals, lacked influence in that role throughout the 2016-17 campaign since their return to top flight of Scottish football.
But does he hold a long term future ahead for them? Dorrans has been used in a slightly deeper midfield role for the Canaries last season. He is known for his high work rate, holding on to the ball in the middle of the park and likes to play long balls and shoot from distance. The Scottish international can create space and constitute attacks from midfield using his passing attributes.
Dorrans has previous experience in Scottish football ( during his Livingston and Patrick Thistle days) and his style of play fits the bill to succeed at Rangers for at least a couple of seasons.
The state of Barjonas, however, is somewhat different. The youngster is not yet ready to feature week in week out in such a key midfield role but holds a long-term future ahead under Caixinha, who handed first team opportunities to the youngsters like David Bates and Myles Beerman. But the club, for now, need a leader in midfield and Dorrans can be an immediate solution though at the expense of a teenager in Barjonas.
