Rangers-linked Ryan Gauld has shot down suggestions he could return to Scottish football claiming the nation’s game “doesn’t really suit me”.
Once daubed Scotland’s answer to Lionel Messi, Rangers have been linked to the now 28-year-old attacking midfielder throughout his career.
Whilst the last time Rangers were mentioned was back in 2021, the historic links to the former Dundee United and Sporting Lisbon talent means plenty of fans continue to ask the question.
But going by the latest comments of the diminutive Vancouver Whitecaps winger, a transfer to Scotland is out of the question. For now at least.
Ryan Gauld: Scottish game doesn’t suit me
Ryan Gauld was speaking to BBC Sport after signing a new contract with the MLS side, the Whitecaps captain extending his stay in Canada until 2027.
Having spent a brief stint in Scotland with Hibs in 2019 – amid those links to Ibrox at the time – Ryan Gauld has claimed it serves as evidence the Scottish game doesn’t suit his style.
In interesting comments, we all know the quiet part of what Ryan Gauld is trying to say about Scotland’s overtly physical style.
“I think what that little Hibs experience told me was that Scottish football doesn’t really suit me,” said Gauld. “I struggled to get involved, struggled to make an impact there.
“You never know what’s going to happen in the future, and what your options might be. I don’t think Scottish football would get the best out of me and I don’t think I would add too much to it either.
“So that’s not something that I foresee but you can never say never and we’ll see where we are at in four years’ time.”
Rangers lead calls for Scottish football to change ways
Whilst a move to Rangers at this stage of his career was always unlikely, the Ryan Gauld comments suggest a switch to Ibrox is all but dead at any stage.
The comments also bring into sharp focus the fall-out surrounding a series of red cards and injuries around the Rangers camp.
Philippe Clement has routinely lambasted a lack of protection for his players, Ross McCausland the latest to be ‘kicked of the pitch’. The likes of Todd Cantwell and Danilo have also suffered with injuries as a result of rough treatment this season.
Speaking after Hibs star Nathan Moriah-Welsh was sent off in the weekend’s 2-0 win over Hibs, Philippe Clement has urged referees to ‘get these tackles out of the game’ by flashing more red cards.
Given the duopoly and disparity in finances between the top two and the rest, Scottish football has often been accused of protecting a physical style over a technical one in an attempt to balance the scales.
The comments of Ryan Gauld – one of the most technical players of his generation in Scotland – only further stand as testimony that perhaps it’s time things started to change.
