John Souttar was missing from Rangers trip to face Hoffenheim alongside Ben Davies, however, unlike his teammate, managed to make the open training session at Ibrox.
Speculation has surrounded the former Liverpool centre-half’s future this summer but nothing concrete has emerged and he has been a regular fixture in pre-season.
David Edgar, speaking on the Heart and Hand podcast, has revealed that there are clubs keeping an eye on the Rangers defender but if Ben Davies is to leave, they will need to move quickly.
Michael Beale is keen to avoid a repeat of last season when Rangers ran out of senior defenders even if Davies is said to be a player that he is willing to let go.
Leon Balogun has been brought in as a safety net but John Souttar’s injury record means that four players with experience are essential in that particular position.
Leon King has shown that he can provide adequate cover and is one for the future with Johnly Yfeko not far behind him.
David Edgar reports Ben Davies’s uncertain future at Rangers
Edgar, on the Daily Update for Thursday 3rd August confirmed that there is interest in the 27-year old but nothing specific has progressed:
“My understanding with Ben Davies incidentally is that there are clubs interested in Ben Davies.
“Nothing has reached talks stage yet or formal proposals for the player yet and, of course, there will be a cut-off date for that.
“If he goes too late in the window, Rangers would not be able to get a replacement in.”
Given the stage of the season and Connor Goldson only just returning to fitness, Michael Beale will be reluctant to start making too many changes to his defence.
If Rangers set up with Ben Davies and John Souttar, it is still a strong pairing and one, in particular, that will be comfortable in possession and playing out from the back.
Should the vice-captain play and come through unscathed against Kilmarnock though, the Gers gaffer might just entertain the thought of picking up the phone and seeing what clubs have to offer for the reported £4m signing.
