OPINION
Mirko Maric looks like he could be the real deal.
The Croatian striker has netted 16 times in his home country this season, and currently leads the goalscoring charts for his club, NK Osijek.
At 23, he still has a lot to learn, of course, but he also has the time and the natural ability needed to grow into a top level talent.
Rangers fans will no doubt have been delighted, therefore, when the Daily Record suggested that their club were lining up a £3,000,000 swoop for the striker.
The player seems up to the mark, the deal seems affordable – what’s not to like?
But things may turn out to be a little more complex than first impressions would suggest.
Osijek’s sporting director, Alen Petrovic, has issued a warning to any clubs thinking of moving for his main man this summer.
As quoted in the Record, he said: “There is interest in the player from many countries such as the UK, including England, Italy and Germany.
“Significant interest in the player is only to be expected when he is the top goalscorer in the league.
“I can confirm he’s an excellent player, an elegant number nine who is as comfortable scoring goals as linking up the play around him.
“That’s all we’re willing to say at the moment. There have been no official moves made as yet and that suits us as we concentrate on finishing our season with a place in the Europa League.”
Evidently, Rangers are not the only side interested in the hitman, and it is easy to see why.
If there is widespread interest, however, you have to worry about the Gers’ chances of bringing him in.
A bidding war will be the last thing Steven Gerrard wants as he looks to get maximum output for minimum investment, and as more and more clubs join to queue of suitors, surely the chance of him arriving at Ibrox gets slimmer and slimmer.
Supporters will be sweating after these latest comments.