Dimitris Kourbelis has been announced as Panathinaikos’ Player of the Month after Rangers informed the Greece international of their desire to bring him to Ibrox this summer, according to SportDay.
The talismanic skipper will become a free-agent this summer. And, given his importance both on and off the pitch, you would be forgiven for assuming that panic is growing behind the scenes, especially with Rangers among a number of clubs looking to snap up the commanding central midfielder on a free transfer.
There is, however, a sense of calm at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium. A sense of quiet confidence. Panathinaikos began contract talks as far back as November and will kick-start negotiations again after this month’s international break.
Rangers like Dimitrios Kourbelis of Panathinaikos
Rangers, SportDay add, have scouted Kourbelis on numerous occasions over the last ‘four to five months’. Mick Beale’s side have reportedly informed Kourbelis’ camp of their desire to bring the 29-year-old to the blue side of Glasgow.
The former Asteras Tripolis ace is in no rush to make a decision. But nor is he desperate to leave a club two points clear of AEK Athens in the Greek Super League. Kourbelis was at his brilliant best on Sunday; captaining the green-clad side to a comfortable 2-0 win away from home at Atromitos.
After the game, he was announced as Panathinaikos’ Player of the Month for February. His form at the start of March, meanwhile, means Kourbelis may soon be making room on his mantelpiece for yet another trinket sooner rather than later.
Kourbelis, capped 30 times by Greece, could potentially act as a replacement for Ryan Jack. Jack is one of a number of first-team stars entering the final few months of his contract. And Kourbelis shares the Scot’s blend of tenacity and technique in the centre of the park.
“He is cerebral, possesses the necessary calmness to play in this specific nerve-wracking position,” former team-mate George Georgakopoulos tells SportTime. “He deserves all the best. He’s a great kid.”
Rangers, meanwhile, cruised past Raith Rovers 3-0 in the Scottish Cup quarter finals on Sunday. Conor Goldson and Scott Arfield scored either side of an own goal.