Former Rangers defender and Ibrox fan favourite David Bates is set to move on from Bundesliga 2 outfit Hamburg, according to reports in Germany [Hamburger Morgenpost].
The 6ft4 centre-half joined Hamburg when his contract expired at Ibrox at the end of last season and went on to make 25 appearances as the Volksparkstadion club failed to earn promotion.
Farmed out to Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season, Bates has struggled to hold down a place in the Championship and has only made one appearance for Garry Monk’s side.
But since taking the bold step to move to Germany 23-year-old Bates has established himself as a Scotland international, making five caps for his country.
Rangers are well stocked in the defensive side of the game but several high-profile individual errors have cost the Ibrox side over the last few months.
Connor Goldson has been perpetually criticised, whilst the likes of Niko Katic have been dropped and George Edmundson lacking any real experience at this level.
Swedish international and £3m summer signing Filip Helander remains on the sidelines with a foot injury.
Bates is a known Rangers fan and a player with whom many of the club’s supporters had an affinity with before he left.
Bates himself has also previously said he was disappointed in the manner in which he left and clashed with Graeme Murty in the press over claims his move was motivated by money [Scotsman].
Should Rangers be alerted to the ongoing situation surrounding Bates at Hamburg?
The former Raith Rovers defender would be a cheap, solid back-up option who would come back from Rangers a better player than which he left.
The club could certainly do worse than keeping one eye on what happens with the Ginger Ramos when the league season restarts.
