Jerry Yates has rediscovered his goal scoring touch for Blackpool with Rangers links fresh in the memory.
The 26-year forward has scored four goals in his last five games and is serving a timely reminder why he was reported to be on Rangers radar when Michael Beale was Steven Gerrard’s right-hand man.
Already, under Beale now that he is the man in charge, we have seen a tactical flexibility that has seen our strikers given more freedom.
Alfredo Morelos has been asked to play centrally some weeks but then in others, the Colombian is allowed to drift out wide.
What is clear, is that Michael Beale wants his number nine to be comfortable anywhere in the final third.
And this is exactly what Jerry Yates offers and why recent comments from the Gers gaffer suggest that he could still be a target when the window re-opens.
Why Jerry Yates could still be Rangers target
Speaking about Rangers transfer business after the departure of Ross Wilson, Beale – as always – revealed a little too much and suggested that fans will be able to make the connection as to why certain players are signed:
“With me and my staff, the big thing is our network is very strong. If you add that then to the recruitment team here, we’re searching far and wide.
“If the window goes how I plan it to go, then you’ll be able to trace a lot of the players back to some that maybe I’ve worked with or you’ll be able to see the links, they’ll be clear.
“It’s important that we recruit strongly and we recruit the right type of people as well.”
If Yates was on a shortlist when Michael Beale was at the club before, it’s not too big a leap to suggest that he will still be on it, especially given the form that he has been in.
Blackpool’s relegation from the Championship could also see them looking to cash in on one of their biggest assets.
With 14 goals and six assists, Yates is having a productive season, however, there is one major issue.
As always, with English clubs, the transfer fee will be the biggest stumbling block and if the choice was Jerry Yates for £5m, as was once reported, or Petar Ratkov for £3m, I’d be taking the Serbian teenager.
Yates would probably settle quicker but, in terms of potential and future sell on value, it is the youngster who has the higher ceiling.
This is the sort of call that Beale has to get right this summer if the Premiership title is to return to Ibrox.
