If Rangers want to rekindle their interest in Daniel Johnson they will have to move fast.
According to Sunday Mirror assistant sports content editor Darren Witcoop, the 30-year old could be reunited with his former manager, and the man who blocked Rangers bid.
Witcoop also adds that Johnson’s future is set to be decided “imminently”.
Previous interest when Michael Beale was Steven Gerrard’s number two was reported to have led to a £2m bid being made, however, the Jamaican international stayed at Preston.
Alex Neil was the Preston manager at the time, demanding that £4m was the fee for Daniel Johnson, however, the now Stoke City manager is looking to bag himself a bargain.
Do Rangers need Daniel Johnson?
In short, it depends who leaves.
Michael Beale seems to like playing with two number eights or a hybrid number eight/ten playing as one of his three central midfielders.
The Gers gaffer has the likes of Todd Cantwell, Tom Lawrence and Ianis Hagi as senior options already with Alex Lowry waiting for his chance too.
If Kieran Dowell signs, he will be another option capable of playing in midfield or further up the park.
A few years ago Johnson was needed when we lacked goals from midfield and had to contend with Brandon Barker and Jordan Jones getting games with Scott Arfield our only central attacking threat from deep.
Johnson would be a good player to have in the squad but if it meant that Lowry’s game time was going to be impacted then it’s one that should be avoided.
Beale has a big job on his hands this summer but bringing players in is the easy part.
A manager shouldn’t have to sell Rangers to potential signings.
The difficulty is going to be clearing out the players who are deemed surplus to requirements and getting money for them too.
If only Rangers had a sporting director who could take care of such trivial matters like a squad overhaul.
