As Rangers prepare to land a blow on Celtic with the signing of Liverpool defender Ben Davies, spare a thought for our Old Firm rivals as historic quotes from signing target Aaron Mooy resurface.
Rangers fans have been sharing a chuckle as the Ibrox side reportedly line up a £4m deal to sign Liverpool centre-back Davies, with the Anfield club “gazumping” Celtic to the now 26-year-old defender in February 2021.
But it’s not only the move for ex-Preston defender Ben Davies that has some Rangers fans chuckling this week as historic quotes from midfielder Aaron Mooy suggest he used to have a penchant for Rangers.
The ex-Shanghai star is reportedly close on signing a one-year deal with our Old Firm rivals that will see him reunite with former Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou in Glasgow [Glasgow Times].
Now I know what you’re thinking; we’re not a Celtic blog fantasising about the financial details of Calvin Bassey’s seemingly imminent £23m move to Ajax, so what are we doing talking about them?
Celtic-bound Aaron Mooy used to get up early to Follow, Follow Rangers
Well, it’s simply to point out that Aaron Mooy has previously suggested he was a boyhood bluenose as he talked about watching the Gers as a child whilst Down Under.
The 31-year-old Australian midfielder – who once had a two-year spell at St Mirren and spent time with Man City – even claimed he used to get up early to lock eyes on the Teds.
This was back in the midfielder’s youth when the Ibrox side had the likes of former captain Craig Moore and Aussie teammate Tony Vidmar turning out for them.
“It’s really exciting to be playing against Rangers and it’s a great opportunity,” said Aaron Mooy ahead of playing Rangers in November 2010 during his time in Paisley [Daily Record].
“Rangers are a massive club and I know a few Australians have been there and done well.
“When Craig Moore and Tony Vidmar were at Ibrox I used to get up an hour earlier at about 5am to see games before I went to school.
“I’ve never played in a professional game against a Champions League side before, so hopefully I can get some game time.”
I’m sure the support over at Celtic Park – already split on the signing – are going to love these soundbites and between Ben Davies and Aaron Mooy Rangers fans have had a wry smile this week.
The Ibrox transfer advantage doesn’t end there this summer amid reports the Gers pipped Celtic to the signing of two new Ibrox stars in Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo earlier in the window.
Another player said to be interesting the two – and regarded as amongst the Scottish Premiership’s top talents – has also reportedly turned down a move to Parkhead.
