According to BT Sport host Darrell Currie as cited by the Scottish Sun, Rangers are interested in signing Aberdeen’s captain Graeme Shinnie in the upcoming summer transfer window. The Scotland international is in the final few months of his contract with the Dons and is going to be available on a free transfer in the summer.
Rangers have been quite shrewd in their business ever since Steven Gerrard took over and they made some smart signings without spending a penny as they signed quite a few players who were free agents. Shinnie who is still 27 can add a lot to the Ibrox outfit and his experience would add a lot of steel and grit to the roster.
Traditionally a left back, Shinnie has thrived in a central role in midfield under Derek McInnes, and the Dons captain has played a significant part of the season as a defensive midfielder. Therefore his versatility is going to be one of the major assets for Rangers if they manage to lure him to Glasgow in the summer.
English club Sunderland were also previously linked with him, but Rangers seemed to have joined the race for this soon to be out of contract player. The Bears are likely to fall short in the Premiership this season as Celtic have enough cushion which should see them secure their 8th title in a row. However, we expect Gerrard’s men to mount an improved challenge in the upcoming season. An experienced player like Shinnie can come in handy.
Rangers are likely to lose the services of Lee Wallace as the former captain hasn’t played any part this season in the first team. The current left back spot is rotated between Andy Halliday and Borna Barisic. Both of them have done well on occasions, so we don’t really see Shinnie being used as a left back if Rangers managed to sign him.
In midfield, Rangers are likely going to lose the services of Lassana Coulibaly who is only on loan. Therefore, the club might want to add another midfielder in their repertoire. The kind of season which Shinnie has had as a defensive midfielder for the Dons, it is likely that he is being eyed as a midfielder by the Gers.
The 27-year-old can carry out the ball from the back, and he often looks calm and composed in possession. The Aberdeen born player showcases impressive defensive abilities as he is often able to read the game well to make crucial blocks and interceptions. A signing like Shinnie might not get Rangers fans off their seat as they have a decent amount of options in midfield, but his experience and ability can come in handy in the upcoming season for the Gers.
