According to the reports from Greek outlet Page News as cited by Daily Record, Rangers are in contact with Olympiacos’ left-back Kostas Tsimikas over a possible January move. However, the Scottish giants will face stiff competition for his signature as Werder Bremen, Nice, Galatasaray, Nice, Fiorentina, and Fenerbahce are also said to be interested.
The 23-year-old is also a three-time Greece international, and he has emerged as a crucial player for Olympiacos. The fullback has made 19 appearances in all competitions this season and has assisted three goals so far. Tsimikas had joined the Greece heavyweights in 2014, and he was part of loan spells at Esbjerg and Willem II before breaking into the senior team with Olympiacos.
Now, he is firmly a first-team starter and a crucial part of the roster at Olympiacos. The fullback had signed a new contract just this year in January. Tsimikas’ contract runs until 2022, and it remains to be seen what kind of price tag Olympiacos would put over the defender.
Do Rangers need a left-back?
The Bears have been lucky this season as Borna Barisic has managed to turn the tide around after a poor start to his Rangers career. The Croatian left-back has emerged as a crucial player in Gerrard’s set up so far, and he is going strong at the moment.
However, beyond him, Rangers have two makeshift left-backs in Jon Flanagan and Andy Halliday. Both of them are in the final year of their deal with the Bears, and it remains to be seen whether Gerrard would give them a chance to extend their stay.
Flanagan and Halliday aren’t coming close to pushing Barisic for the first-team spot. Flanagan is currently the second choice option, but he struggles in the attacking phase of the game given that he is right-footed. Hence it makes sense for Gerrard to bring in a new left-back and keep Flanagan only as a backup for the right-back spot. As for Halliday, he probably has run his course at Ibrox and could be allowed to leave in the summer.
Should Gerrard make a move for Tsimikas?
The fullback has played Champions League football this season and hasn’t looked out of place. The Greece international is an attack-minded fullback who showcases a terrific pace. He might have to work on the physical aspect of his game to thrive in the Premiership, but the potential is certainly there in the three-time Greece international. Just like Barisic, Rangers might have to be patient with the 23-year-old initially. Gerrard should certainly look to get him in the future.
