If a recent report from Bold is believed to be true, Rangers are keeping close tabs on Silas Andersen, having made enquiries for the BK Häcken midfielder. But they are not alone in the hunt, with Nottingham Forest failing to rope him in last summer. FC Copenhagen are also in the mix, and so are their bitter rival Celtic, who might enter the bidding war in the coming days.
The 21-year-old Denmark youth international progressed through the academy ranks of Sundby BK and FCK in his homeland before moving to Italy to join the esteemed ranks of Inter Milan. However, he failed to break into their senior team and eventually left for the Dutch outfit Utrecht.
Despite featuring regularly for the reserves, Andersen only made a couple of first-team appearances for Cathedral Citizens. But a €1m transfer to BK Häcken around a year ago worked in his favour, as he has so far netted five times and laid on 3 more in 45 appearances [stats via Transfermarket] for the Swedish side across competitions.
Rangers are back in the Premiership race, thanks to a strong league run under Danny Rohl. A 3-1 Old Firm win at Parkhead brought them level on points with the Hoops, but the German boss must be backed this month, regardless of their squad overhaul during the summer window.
Why Rangers Are Keen To Bolster Their Midfield
Russell Martin and Kevin Thelwell have rightly been relieved from their duties as the club’s manager and director of football, respectively. The majority of their new arrivals have failed to deliver, particularly in midfield, with Joe Rothwell and Lyall Cameron hardly featuring in the centre of the pitch. They would listen to offers for the pair; also, Kieran Dowell, surplus to requirements since Rohl’s appointment, does not have a future at Ibrox.
This leaves them with Connor Barron, Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande, who have been rotated as the ‘double pivot’ in their 4-2-3-1 formation. Raskin and Barron have been a revelation deep down the midfield, but the lack of options could cost them the title if they suffer fitness woes.
Andersen has a very high ceiling, having shown his expertise with his pace, physicality, athleticism, off-the-ball movement, vision and sense of positioning. The growing interest from the Gers could see the Wasps maximise the profit on their prized asset.
“He is a very important and high-profile player for us, so of course something special is needed.”
Warned Martin Ericsson, Häcken football director (as quoted by The Daily Record), who has him tied down at Bravida Arena for three more years. Nevertheless, Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers are well-positioned to splash the cash on the youngster, and they must step up the chase unless the club have other priorities to resolve the midfield conundrum.
