OPINION
Rangers should hijack Burton Albion’s reported move to land Derby playmaker Craig Bryson by luring him to Ibrox before Thursday’s 11pm deadline.
The Sun claimed on their transfer news blog on Tuesday that the 30-year-old is set to join the Brewers this summer as Nigel Clough looks to fill the hole left by departing midfielder Jackson Irvine.
Irvine, a former Celtic player, is set to join Hull City before Thursday and that has seen Albion boss Clough look to replace him with three-time Scotland international Bryson on loan.
It is said that a stumbling block in the deal to sign the former Kilmarnock midfielder is his hefty wages at Derby, which sees him earn around £1million a year, or £19,000 a week.
Rangers need to add a playmaker to their side with veteran Kenny Miller currently occupying the space between central midfield and the striker in Pedro Caixinha’s 4-2-3-1 system.
Croatia international Niko Kranjcar has returned to full fitness at Ibrox following a long-term injury layoff due to a knee problem, but his injury demons are far from over and cover is required.
The Gers are still waiting on Mexico international Carlos Pena to return to full fitness, but it remains to be seen where he will feature in Caixinha’s side as he could play in a deeper role.
Offering depth in both central midfield and as a number 10 behind the striker, Bryson would be a top addition on loan at Rangers as they look to close the gap between themselves and Celtic.
Derby’s Bryson has plenty of Scottish Premiership experience after beginning his professional career north of the border with Clyde before spending four years with Kilmarnock.
From the middle of the park, Bryson scored 12 goals and laid on the same amount in assists during 118 top-tier appearances with Kilmarnock.
The Gers have already spent a large amount on transfers this summer, with the likes of Pena, Graham Dorrans, Fabio Cardoso and Eduardo Herrera all costing the club a transfer fee.
With Caixinha still likely to be in the transfer market for new additions after luring Man City’s Aaron Nemane to Auchenhowie, free transfers and loans will be the order of the day and Bryson fits that category.
Adding that extra attacking dimension to the Rangers midfield would see Caixinha take a step closer to reducing the 39-point deficit that separated the Gers and Celtic last season in the Scottish Premiership.