Rangers have given up on signing Millwall defender Jake Cooper and turned their attention to Blackpool’s enforcer Curtis Tilt, according to the Mirror (live transfer blog, 11.29pm).
The report claims that they watched him in action in a behind-closed-doors friendly last night at Burnley, in a 2-0 win against the Premier League side.
They add that the £3million bid that Millwall have rejected has forced them to look else where and that Blackpool will accept £1million for Tilt.
Championship side Ipswich are also interested.
Tilt would be Rangers tenth signing of the summer.
Good move for Rangers?
Definitely. £3million for Jake Cooper is a huge amount of money, and they don’t need to entertain the idea of bidding any more. If Millwall don’t want to sell, it’s time to looks elsewhere and Tilt is a solid option. He helped keep a clean sheet last night against Premier League opposition and the 26-year-old could step straight into the Ranger side. Paying £1million for him, rather than £3million for Cooper will also free up some money for an attacker. And Rangers desperately need to add some goals and attacking flair to their line-up after two fairly disappointing games against Shkupi in the Europa League qualifiers. They progressed fairly easily but couldn’t score in the second leg last night and, while it’s too early to say they look impotent up top, they definitely need some extra options.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
Rangers have the money – Tilt will be a lot cheaper than Cooper. The only two hurdles to a move would be if Rangers decide to start haggling, or if Ipswich beat them to the player. On the face of it you’d think that Tilt would take his chances at Ibrox, with Europa League football looking much more likely now, and the chance to develop and learn under Gerrard. It’s set up to be an exciting season for Rangers, who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
This is Futbol rating: 8/10