St. Johnstone manager Tommy Wright has confessed that he wants to strike a permanent deal to sign Rangers forward Michael O’Halloran in January.
O’Halloran, 26, is on a short-term loan deal at McDiarmid Park and has already hit the ground running, scoring four goals in five appearances across all competitions, as well as winning the player of the month accolade for August.
Wright has now admitted that he did try to sign O’Halloran outright before he settled a deal to land the wide-forward on a temporary basis which is set to expire in early January.
The Saints boss is now looking for his chairman to raise as much cash as possible to help him keep hold of the Rangers outcast.
“I would hope to be able to extend the loan, but a lot of things can happen between now and then,” he said, as quoted by the Evening Times. “Our plan would be to extend it or maybe if I can get the chairman to release a few quid we might even buy him.
“We did ask about buying him, but that didn’t happen. The loan was the next best option but let’s hope we can hold on to him for some time.
“The worry is that his value increases, but I’ve gone into it as a manager knowing that worst-case scenario I will have him until January.”
Good move for Rangers?
Pedro Caixinha clearly doesn’t see O’Halloran as being a part of his plans in the future so it would make sense for him to ship him out for good. However his form last month proves that he could still be the best player for the Light Blues if he returns. Caixinha would be too stubborn to allow this though, and probably will not go back on his previous thoughts of the attacker.
This is Futbol rating: 5/10
Likely to happen?
Wright has admitted that there wasn’t enough funds in the summer to strike up a deal for O’Halloran and with his form improving, he may be worth more. Rangers should see this as a chance to attract attention from England, where there is a lot more money and a lot more clubs who would be desperate to sign an in-form player. Letting him stay at McDiarmid Park also strengthens one of their rivals in the Scottish Premiership.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10