According to the latest reports from Birmingham Live, Derby County are said to be leading the chase to sign Rangers target Graeme Shinnie. The Scottish international is currently the captain of Aberdeen and is in the final few months of his contract with them. Championship outfit Bristol City and Sheffield United are also said to be interested.
Rangers have been linked with quite a few players who are on a free transfer, and in the summer of 2018 they did go on to sign a few players for free. Shinnie is a versatile player as he started as a left back, but now he is seen more as a defensive midfielder. This is a role he has played to perfection for the Dons this season.
However, we don’t really see this being a big blow for Rangers if someone like Derby County goes on to sign him. Rangers do have plenty of cover in the defensive midfield position. Ryan Jack and Ross McCrorie have shown impressive signs, and there is no need to replace them as they have done a decent job in the deepest role in midfield.
Even as a left back, Shinnie doesn’t make a case for himself as Rangers signed Borna Barisic in the summer of 2018 and Andy Halliday has done a fine job as a backup option. We don’t see Shinnie as a significant upgrade over the two and Rangers would be better off looking for other signings to improve their roster.
The Bears would be disappointed right now as they trail Celtic by 13 points in the league table and are already out of the Scottish Cup. Not many would have expected Rangers to win the Premiership in Gerrard’s first season but bowing out of both the Cups before the finals must be a major disappointment to the fans and the board.
Rangers still need to add much more quality into their side especially in the attacking half. The team have often been too reliant on the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent to create a magic spark in the final third. A creative or an attacking midfielder is of utmost importance for the club. Shinnie who is in the mould of a defensive midfielder will be an unnecessary signing for the club.
It’s true that his experience would come in handy, but Rangers need to aim higher if they want to stop Celtic’s domination in Scottish football. With Derby County leading the race to sign the Scotsman, we feel that Rangers should let this signing slip away.
