If a report from the Daily Record is believed to be true, Rangers are favourites to land Manchester United teenager Charlie McCann during this ongoing summer window. The midfield prodigy has been regular for the Red Devils reserves and his growing reputation has convinced the Bears to bring him north of the border.
Despite spending big in recent years, Ole Gunnar Solskjær has promoted an array of youngsters to the senior set-up. A few of them have made their first-team debuts, whereas the likes of Dylan Levitt and Ethan Galbraith are next in the pecking order having earned senior caps already for Wales and Northern Ireland. James Garner has featured seven times under the Norwegian and his impressive loan spells with Watford and Nottingham Forest must have earned the gaffer’s attention.
McCann got promoted to the U23s for his midfield mastery, but the Republic of Ireland youth international would find it difficult to stake a claim in Solskjær’s immediate plans ahead of his teammates from the academy ranks. He was a low-key signing from Coventry City back in 2018 and his progress of late has convinced the Rangers scouts over a potential summer offer.
Why Rangers Should Rope In McCann For Long-term Objectives
While the likes of Levitt and Garner were out on loan last season, McCann stepped in magnificently with some outrageous display from the centre of the pitch. His long-range strike against Everton and a match-winning double versus Southampton depicted his excellence in the Premier League 2. Although it’s not clear yet whether his contract has been extended beyond the summer of 2021, Rangers would have to pay a development fee for the teenage sensation.
Meanwhile, the Light Blues are well equipped in the middle of the park following the arrival of John Lundstram on a Bosman. Ryan Jack went under the knife to get rid of the persistent calf problem and the presence of Steven Davis is still proving crucial in terms of dictating the midfield game. Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara add pace, mobility and technical traits, also the experience of Scott Arfield makes an impact in close contests.
Having said that, the heart issues have cast doubts over Nnamdi Ofoborh’s immediate Rangers future. The club decided not to retain Bongani Zungu after an underwhelming spell and the pressure would be immense on 36-year-old Davis to orchestrate the show week in week out. The addition of McCann should hand Gerrard a much-needed cover in the deep-lying midfield role.
Both Davis and Arfield are at the twilight stages of their glittering careers, whereas the fitness woes remain a concern for Jack and Ofoborh. Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara have their suitors in Europe and a teenager of McCann’s repute, therefore, should make it big at Ibrox if he continues to impress in new surroundings.
