Wigan Athletic defender Jack Whatmough was linked to Rangers on Deadline Day but suggestions from journalists suggest the rumours were always wide of the mark.
The 26-year-old centre-back is a key player for the Latics and despite their stuttering Championship form this season the defender remains a prime asset.
But as Rangers looked to improve their strength in depth at centre-back, it appears Jack Whatmough was never really a realistic Deadline Day signing.
The Rangers links to Whatmough appeared to start online amid discussions between Wigan Athletic supporters.
These were then picked up by inquisitive journalists who would go on receive confirmation that the rumours were largely baseless.
This includes the likes of the Rangers Review’s Derek Clark, who claims Wigan rubbished the apparent Rangers interest in Jack Whatmough at an early stage.
Rangers target defender amid Jack Whatmough links
As the transfer window wound to a close, the rumours linking Rangers with Jack Whatmough also appeared to be fuelled by comments from Michael Beale regarding the Gers signing a new defender.
Ahead of the clash with Hearts, the Ibrox manager had claimed he wants to sign a centre-back to ensure more “certainty” in the position.
“I think we need to [add at centre-back] moving forward just because there’s a little bit of uncertainty around the centre-half position,” said Michael Beale [Rangers].
”When Connor and Ben weren’t fit we were having to play midfielders there or Leon and Leon has had a fantastic first half of the season but that was a lot of pressure thrown on his young shoulders.
“So I think moving forward I just want some certainty in that position and if we were to get an injury i still want certainty because I think you build a team from the back forward.“
That left plenty wondering if the comments could’ve related to former Steven Gerrard target and Millwall defender Jake Cooper, who has been extensively linked to Rangers throughout his career.
But interestingly, Jack Whatmough is also a former Gerrard target – with Beale of course the Scouser’s former first-team coach – from his time at Portsmouth.
Back in 2019, Rangers were being linked with a move for Whatmough and perhaps the rumours originate from a combination of the historic interest and the comments of Michael Beale about signing a new defender.
Meanwhile, here’s why Swansea didn’t want to sell Morgan Whittaker.
