If a report from The Telegraph is believed to be true, Rangers target Keanu Baccus is available for a fee of around £350,000. The St. Mirren star is under contract until the summer of 2024, but a host of Championship outfits are keeping close tabs on the midfield ace ahead of a potential winter swoop.
According to The Scottish Sun, Gers boss Michael Beale holds a firm interest in the 24-year-old Buddies star. This was reported late in December, however, the likes of Norwich City, Middlesbrough and Cardiff City might jeopardize the Ibrox transfer by luring him south of the border.
Born in South Africa, Baccus migrated to Australia with his family before turning a year old. He played for Parklea FC, Fairfield Hotspurs, Blacktown Spartans, Blacktown City and Western Sydney Wanderers during his youth career. He eventually broke into the senior side of WSW and went on to make 112 appearances prior to joining St. Mirren on a Bosman back in the summer window.
An impressive run of form in Scottish football earned him a place in the Socceroos’ 2022 FIFA World Cup squad. He featured in all four games, including a start against the world champions Argentina in the Round of 16 battle. Although it was his first senior start, the Aussie international is tipped to flourish more in the coming days for club and country.
Why Rangers Must Rope In The Aussie Ace
Rangers, on paper, are well-equipped in the middle of the park. John Lundstram and Ryan Jack are the preferred central midfield pairing in Beale’s 4-2-3-1, whereas the likes of Glen Kamara, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield have also been involved across competitions. James Sands is also there given his versatility both in midfield as well as the defensive third, but a lot of things might change in a few months’ time when the season will be over.
Davis, 38, might have played his last game after sustaining a serious knee injury. He will be out of contract upon the conclusion of the ongoing campaign, and so would be Jack and Arfield who are yet to get an extension beyond June 2023. Forgotten youngster Nnamdi Ofoborh has not kicked the ball having been diagnosed with a heart issue soon after his arrival, also the club must decide whether to make Sands’ loan permanent once it expires in the summer.
Kamara is trying hard to revive the lost status after a disappointing spell under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, but the ‘number 6’ role does not suit his game as he offers more technicality and creative spark as a box-to-box option. Rangers, therefore, must step up the chase for Baccus who would fit in as a deep-lying playmaker.
