Rangers will need to add legs to the midfield next season and in Leighton Clarkson, Michael Beale has the edge over Celtic in an Old Firm transfer tug-of-war.
The 21-year old Liverpool loanee – more of that later – is currently flying at Aberdeen and has shown that he can contribute in the Scottish Premiership.
With five goals and eight assists, his numbers are as good as any in the Rangers midfield.
Capable of playing as a defensive midfielder or as far forward as a number ten, Clarkson has the sort of flexibility that Michael Beale loves in his midfielders. It is little wonder that he has been linked with a move to Ibrox by former Sky Sports reporter Pete O’Rourke.
Why Rangers should have the edge in pursuit of Leighton Clarkson
The Gers gaffer knows only too well what the England youth international is capable of having looked after him during his time coaching in Liverpool’s academy.
Clarkson revealed earlier this season that his Melwood development was key to him becoming the well-rounded midfielder that is starring for Aberdeen and a major reason for their resurgence under Barry Robson, as told to Aberdeen Live:
“It’s always good and I’ve scored quite a few good goals, but I just want more. More goals, more assists. I want to try and get myself to around 20 goal contributions. It’s obviously really tough but I always set myself high targets. Hopefully I can do it.
“I enjoy it. I remember my Under-16s season at Liverpool, when I was 15, so playing the year above. I played as a 10 for the first time for them. I think I was getting top goalscorer, level with the striker, at that time so I’ve always had that instinct to try and score goals and assist goals.
“As I got older, I dropped back to try and control games for Liverpool. I was a single six at Liverpool, so I was always getting the ball and getting like 80 to 100 passes per game.”
Beale was involved with the Academy at Liverpool for several years before moving to Sao Paulo and the Rangers boss would have been overseeing the midfiedler’s progress when he returned from Brazil too.
Clarkson signed a long-term contract in 2020 and has played for Liverpool’s first-team in the Champions League so he wouldn’t come cheap should Michael Beale decide to move for his former pupil.
A loan move or loan-to-buy deal would probably be Rangers best chance of picking up the youngster, although Aberdeen are also said to be interested in a permanent move so the fee can’t be too unreasonable.
In the summer, the Gers boss will be hoping to move on some of his players who just aren’t performing or who don’t suit his needs and midfield is loaded with them.
John Lundstram has a year left on his contract, Steven Davis, Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield are all up for renewal and Glen Kamara is one of our most saleable assets despite hardly playing recently.
Rangers need players who are ready to contribute now but who could also make us money in the future and Leighton Clarkson fits that bill.
Aberdeen has been a productive experience for Clarkson but he will want to take the next step and Ibrox could well be the best place for him to show what he is really capable of.
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