Max Johnston should be the right-back that Rangers are checking out with Giannis Kotsiras reportedly the man eyed to replace James Tavernier.
Individually, the Gers skipper’s numbers can’t be questioned.
As a newly inducted member of Rangers Hall of Fame, James Tavernier will also forever has his name etched on the walls of Ibrox Stadium.
But…
Two major trophies since signing in 2015 is not the sort of record that Rangers players approaching a testimonial should be proud of.
How do you replace a right-back with 215 goals and assists though?
The short answer is that you can’t.
Why Max Johnston not Giannis Kotsiras should be the man Rangers turn to to replace James Tavernier
At 30-years old, Gers-linked Giannis Kotsiras is hardly a long-term solution and seeing Aaron Hickey’s rumoured move to Man City only makes matters worse.
The former Hearts full-back could have been signed under Steven Gerrard for £1.5m.
Adam Devine is a full member of Michael Beale’s squad but he hasn’t done enough to suggest that he is the answer when Tavernier’s powers wain.
What the Gers gaffer needs is someone who he can rely on to cover Tavernier to keep him fresh and at his best rather than running the 31-year old into the ground.
If Devine isn’t to be the successor then Beale should be looking at possible domestic options and Max Johnston, who has been tipped for bigger things, would be perfect.
Young, dynamic and on Bologna’s radar, Johnston would also be a valuable addition to our home grown quota and is young enough to one day be classed as club trained.
At. 19-years old, the Scotland Under-21 international has senior experience at Cove Rangers, Queen of the South and hs two goals and three assists in 14 appearances for Motherwell since returning from being out on loan in January.
Yes, Rangers need to sign at least 4-5 starters, and Beale has acknowledged this, but we also need to prepare for the future and continue to sign players who could one day make us a profit.
That Johnston is out of contract at the end of the season is another bonus.
Tavernier isn’t done yet, and signing an established international for his position isn’t a good use of resources, signing his long-term replacement on a free transfer is.
