Rangers and Celtic have reportedly launched bids for talented Motherwell defender and Scotland youth international Bailey Rice.
That’s according to the Daily Record, who also claim that the Ibrox side will face competition from south of the border to secure the latest talent coming out of Fir Park.
As part of this, the Gers will look to thrash out a compensation package with the Steelmen which could also see a sell-on clause inserted as part of any development fee.
Only 15, Bailey Rice is eligible to sign professional terms when he turns 16 later in the year and this is the latest example of the Old Firm hoping to snare the best young Ibrox talent.
Rangers have already plundered northeast rivals Aberdeen by poaching young striker Lancelot Pollard this summer and Bailey Rice is said to be the next target on the club’s radar.
Rangers reportedly launch bid for Motherwell defender Bailey Rice
This is part of the footballing ecosystem that currently exists in British football and whilst smaller clubs will rue Rangers for poaching their top talent the same thing happens at Ibrox with clubs in the Premier League.
The Gers famously lost major midfield talent Billy Gilmour to Chelsea as he approached his 16th birthday and this summer lost prolific young striker Rory Wilson to Aston Villa.
However, Rangers have managed to retain the likes of Kai Kennedy, Leon King and Alex Lowry amid much speculation linking these talented young players down south.
Rangers might not be able to compete with the megabucks on offer down south but they can offer a different pathway into first team football and a unique opportunity at Ibrox.
Perhaps this could sway Bailey Rice towards Govan as the Gers look to sign up yet another talented young Scottish player to the club’s Academy set-up.
Meanwhile, here’s the latest on Dutch striker Thijs Dallinga as a £2.2m bid in reportedly launched for the striker.
