Rangers fan interest has been piqued by claims from one journalist that an unnamed Scottish club are interested in signing Reading defender Tom McIntyre.
Darren Witcoop of the Sunday Mirror has claimed that one side north of the border are “interested” in securing a deal for the 24-year-old centre-back alongside two Championship teams down south.
Whilst there has been no official link to Rangers, given the potential fee involved in the transfer it can really only be one of two clubs in Scotland with the Gers’ ongoing defensive pursuit pointing towards Ibrox.
Tom McIntyre links appear amid Rangers pursuit
Rangers have been linked with a host of left-sided centre-backs this summer with deals for Arsenal’s Auston Trusty and Nottingham Forest’s Jonathan Panzo stalling over the Premier League transfer demands of both sides.
Given Michael Beale’s knowledge of the English lower leagues, and the fact he’s not afraid to use it, then perhaps Tom McIntyre is eyed as a back-up option should interest in either of these players fail.
Witcoop is clear that there is yet to be a bid from any interested suitor for Tom McIntyre, with a trio of unnamed clubs now reportedly looking at the Reading star as the former Premier League club prepares for a stint in English League One.
For all intents and purposes, Nottingham Forest’s Jonathan Panzo – who spent last season on loan at Coventry – does appear to be Rangers’ primary target in this area.
But given Tom McIntyre plays in a similar position, and the defender’s young age, Rangers fans who’ve been following the club’s transfer window very closely will keep an eye on this one.
Reading face financial difficulties
The exit links also come at an interesting time for the Royals, who’ve been issued a winding up order from HMRC in a painful flashback to Rangers’ financial issues of 2012.
This comes with the club having faced a series of sanctions due to the breaches of financial and sustainability rules in an ominous time for the club’s supporters and Chinese billionaire owner Dai Yongge.
The club failed to pay players on time three times last season and the situation looks increasingly ominous for Reading supporters.
Whilst Rangers fans’ thoughts will go out to them at this time, perhaps the situation will force Reading’s hand with Tom McIntyre as an unnamed Scottish club watch on.
Tom McIntyre played 41 times for Reading last season, scoring twice, with the club suffering relegation after finishing 23rd in the Championship.
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