Rangers and Celtic linked Thomas Robert has admitted that it would be a dream to seal a transfer to either club or to the English top-flight [Daily Record via the Daily Mail].
The Gers were linked to Robert in May by Chronicle Live and again by the Scottish Sun in December, with the outlet claiming that Celtic, Hibernian and Hearts are all also interested.
Airdrie manager Ian Murray recently suggested that there was something in the rumours [Lanarkshire Live Sport] and now the player himself has responded to the speculation.
“I’ve heard about this but I don’t like to focus on it,” he said [Daily Record via the Daily Mail]. “I just try to do my best for the team, score goals and enjoy being on the pitch.”
“We’ll see what happens in the future. I don’t look further than winning the next game. The most important thing is, first of all, to prove myself with Airdrie and after, of course, it’s a dream for me to play with a big team like Celtic, Rangers or in the English Premier League.
“If one day I sign for a big team, it won’t be because of my dad (former Newcastle United midfielder Laurent Robert). That’s why I’ve signed here. One day I’d like people just to say ‘Thomas Robert’, not the son of the superstar.”
20-year-old Robert – who can play in midfield, on the wing or up front – has impressed since signing for Airdrie from Montpellier in the summer.
He scored directly from a corner in a 4-2 win over Clyde last month, one of four goals he’s scored in all competitions this season, while he’s also notched two assists in League One.
It sounds as though he’s in no rush to secure a move away from the Penny Cars Stadium due to the regular playing time he’s currently getting and he hasn’t set his sights on moving to one big club in particular in the future.
However, he’s clearly flattered by the reported interest from the Old Firm clubs and perhaps if Rangers do swoop, they’ll be aided by the fact that ex-Ger Murray is Robert’s current manager.
Meanwhile, a former Rangers attacker has reportedly entered talks ahead of a potential shock move to a Premier League club.