Speaking during the summer of 2020, Peterborough United’s always outspoken director of football Barry Fry confirmed that Rangers were one of the clubs seemingly keeping tabs on a then-third-tier striker by the name of Ivan Toney.
And the extent and the speed of Toney’s rise over the next three years – now an England international and one of the most prolific goalscorers in the Premier League at Brentford – should be a lesson for Rangers to learn from as the Glasgow giants reportedly mull over another player making quite the name for himself at London Road.
Rangers, according to BBC Sport, are keen on Ronnie Edwards; a stylish England U20 international with his fair share of admirers south of the border too.
If Rangers missed the boat with Toney – a player who left Peterborough for £5 million now worth at least ten times more – then the onus is on them to act quick on Edwards. Especially with Peterborough making no secret of interest from far more well-heeled clubs on the other side of Hadrian’s Wall.
Ronnie Edwards a Rangers target
“I’ve had conversations with people at Chelsea” Fry added in August 2022. “They were taken by Ronnie. They certainly like him.
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“(Manchester) City did make a phone call about him, but it was just a conversation. There is no doubt he will get to the Premier League one day and earn life-changing money. But he’s a very sensible young man and knows time is on his side.
“Virtually the entire Premier League know about Ronnie.”
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony, meanwhile, has confirmed that Newcastle’s sporting director Dan Ashworth is also a big fan. Edwards a player the former Brighton chief describes as a ‘Rolls Royce’.
And, like Toney, MacAnthony expects Edwards’ price-tag to soar in the coming years, so long as he builds on the potential that has seen him blossom into one of the most in-demand talents in the EFL.
“There is no doubt that Ronnie will play at the very top one day. He’s ice cool and he has so much going for him,” MacAnthony said on his Hard Truth Podcast. “Ronnie is as good as they come. And it doesn’t matter where he goes, he will be a success.
“The club that tried to buy him the most know they would make £40 million-plus on him in a couple of years. Average centre-backs can go for £60 million.
“In two and a half years, he will be sold for £60 million to £70 million such is the current market for young centre-backs.”
The message, as far as Rangers are concerned, could not be any clearer. If Mick Beale’s side are to avoid a repeat of that Ivan Toney situation, move for Edwards now or live to regret it later.