Rangers are reportedly renewing their interest in Jake Cooper five years after Millwall rejected a £3 million Ibrox bid for the Championship colossus.
Speaking on Friday, ahead of Rangers’ Scottish Premiership clash with Livingston, manager Mick Beale indicated that his side may look to bring in another defender before the window closes in just over a fortnight’s time.
“There is a lot of speculation about it,” Beale said, via Football Scotland. “It’s an area we may look to do something
“We’re speaking to different players but, at this moment in time, I’ve got to make sure it makes us stronger. The options I’m looking at, their teams don’t want to lose them either.”
Beale was never going to name names, of course. But after Rangers tried and failed to bring Jack Cooper north of the border during Beale’s first spell at the club – when he was working as Steven Gerrard’s assistant coach – it may not come as a great surprise to hear that Millwall’s 28-year-old vice captain is back on the radar.
Rangers eye Millwall’s Jake Cooper again
Cooper, after all, will be a free-agent in 2024. The London-based outfit refused to cash in five years ago, rejecting Rangers’ £3 million bid. But they may be forced to consider offers this time around. Especially if Cooper makes it clear that he will not sign an extension at The Den.
According to the Scottish Sun, Cooper was keen on a move to Ibrox at the time.
Now 28, the 6ft 6ins giant of a centre-half may now feel that – with Rangers reportedly renewing their interest – he may never get a better chance to play European football or fight for silverware.
“Coops has been immense for us,” Millwall boss Gary Rowett told the South London Press in the spring; the former Reading giant’s performances helping his side stay in touch with the play-offs
“He’s a player that you undervalue (with) some of those clearances, blocks and the way he heads it out of the box. He is so dominant in those situations that you sometimes take it for granted, because he has done it for so long.
“In the last period of games, he has been absolutely outstanding. He has been so consistent.”
Cooper is a centre-half in the mould of departed Rangers stopper Filip Helander; physical, excellent in the air and a presence in both boxes.
