Cammy Devlin could be heading to Rangers, with suggestions that Derek McInnes may have already opened talks with the Hearts midfielder before even officially starting his new role.
McInnes is set to be confirmed as the new Rangers head coach, as Danny Rohl finalises his move to Red Bull Salzburg, and the recruitment process appears to be already taking shape around him.
The new boss knows Devlin better than almost anyone, as the Australia international was one of the standout performers under McInnes at Tynecastle last season – a relentless, combative presence in midfield who played a key role in Hearts’ remarkable title charge.
And with Devlin out of contract at Hearts this summer, the pieces are falling into place for what would be one of the most straightforward transfer deals of the window.
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Keith Jackson makes Devlin to Rangers claim
Speaking on the Daily Record’s Hotline Live, journalists Scott McDermott and Keith Jackson both suggested that Devlin is already firmly on McInnes’s radar, with Jackson going a step further.
He claimed that he would be surprised if talks between McInnes and Devlin had not already taken place.
Speaking on Hotline Live, McDermott said: “Devlin could be on his radar already.”
Jackson, meanwhile, suggested that McInnes may have already told Devlin to put any decision regarding his future on hold.
He said, “I’d be astonished if he’s not on his radar. In fact, I’d actually be pretty astonished if there haven’t been some sort of talks between the pair already.”
It is worth noting that Devlin is a player who had been on Rangers’ radar even before the manager saga involving Rohl and McInnes.
However, there was a fear that the Govan club may have dropped out of the race after it emerged that Hearts had offered him fresh terms, while at least three other clubs made big-money proposals.
With McInnes now on his way to Ibrox, the transfer is well back on the cards.
What would your concerns be about Derek McInnes replacing Danny Rohl?
What Devlin would bring to Ibrox
A free transfer for a player of Devlin’s calibre – one who has just driven Hearts to touching distance of a league title – represents exceptional value.
The 28-year-old also fits Andrew Cavenagh‘s stated recruitment philosophy perfectly, as he has experience in Scottish football and is a winner.
His energy, leadership and ability to dictate the tempo of a game are precisely what Rangers have often been missing in midfield.
Apart from Devlin, McInnes could also raid Hearts for Claudio Braga this summer.
