One of Rangers’ biggest issues in recent years hasn’t been being able to afford players, it has been missing out on ones like Jarrad Branthwaite.
The towering Everton centre-half stands at nearly 6’5″ tall and has the sort of physicality that the Ibrox masses love to see in a defender and that the current manager has been missing.
After impressing on loan at PSV Eindhoven, the 22-year old formerly linked with Rangers is now being tipped to be a first pick for England under new manager Thomas Tuchel by Jamie Carragher.
Jarrad Branthwaite tipped for England pick after Rangers miss out
The former Carlisle United stopper isn’t just a physical presence, as a natural lefty, Branthwaite is worth his weight in gold as a player who is just as comfortable on the ball as he is dealing with balls into the box.
Qualities that Carragher, speaking on Monday Night Football, thinks could give the Toffees’ number 32 the nod when Tuchel picks his first team:
“I think Branthwaite, excellent on the left foot as well, gives you that balance, but also gives you that size and pressure that England had in Harry Maguire. You think how important set pieces were in tournaments.”
Everton have struggled this season and it is no shock that their solitary win came with their prized asset at the heart of their defence.
Branthwaite has been tipped for a big money transfer with Real Madrid and Man Utd circling, his career seemingly only going in one direction.
How costly was it for Rangers to miss out on Branthwaite?
Shopping on a budget, Rangers need to get more transfers right than wrong.
On this occasion, they got this one badly wrong.
With Connor Goldson a regular fixture on the right of the defence, Steven Gerrard made several attempts to find a partner who was every bit as reliable and consistent as his vice-captain.
Filip Helander and Nikola Katic were the standouts, however, neither had the durability of their English counterpart.
Branthwaite was scouted, but Rangers baulked at the £800,000 fee for a 17-year old despite his senior experience, instead deciding to sign George Edmundson.
With Branthwaite’s valuation now said to be in the region of £70m, hindsight suggests this is one decision that they probably regret.
