Rangers are on the hunt for a new centre-back as injury rocks Philippe Clement’s stuttering backline and big mistakes cost the club this season.
The loss of John Souttar has been monumental for Rangers at this crucial juncture of the campaign, the Ibrox side pretty much falling apart ever since losing their on-pitch commander-in-chief.
But with Leon Balogun and Neraysho Kasanwirjo also sidelined with injury, the need for a new defender early on in January has never been greater.
Robin Propper is a man under huge pressure whilst Dujon Sterling has twice slipped up to give away important goals in recent matches.
As Rangers scour the transfer market for any cost effective additions, perhaps Southampton’s Ronnie Edwards is a player Nils Koppen should have one eye on.
Rangers were tailing Ronnie Edwards in 2023
Rangers were one of several clubs said to be tailing Ronnie Edwards during the England youth international’s time at Peterborough.
Back in the summer of 2023, Rangers were strongly linked to Edwards as Michael Beale tried to rebuild a failing Ibrox squad.
Peterborough director Barry Fry raised doubts about Rangers’ ability to sign Edwards, saying that he ‘wasn’t sure Rangers have the money to bid for him’.
Never shy in hyping up their own players, Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony had even branded Edwards a ‘£70m player’ amid interest from Manchester City.
“There is no doubt that Ronnie will play at the very top one day. He’s ice cool and he has so much going for him,” MacAnthony said on his Hard Truth Podcast.
“Ronnie is as good as they come. And it doesn’t matter where he goes, he will be a success.
“The club that tried to buy him the most know they would make £40 million-plus on him in a couple of years. Average centre-backs can go for £60 million.
“In two and a half years, he will be sold for £60 million to £70 million such is the current market for young centre-backs.”
West Ham United then saw a late bid for Edwards fail that summer, before Edwards stayed at the Posh for the season and eventually lifted the EFL Trophy at Wembley.
Premier League minutes evade one-time Rangers target
It was a year later that Southampton moved to sign Ronnie Edwards amid radio silence about those potential links to Rangers.
All that talk of £70m valuations was also mightily short-lived with Southampton reportedly paying £3m to sign Ronnie Edwards in the summer window just passed.
But things have not gone to plan for Ronnie Edwards so far on the south coast, with the defender making just one Premier League appearance for Southampton this season.
Even then, the defender only played 12 minutes in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in December.
With the Saints rooked to the bottom of the Premier League table, Russell Martin has just been sacked and opportunities have been few and far between for Edwards.
Rangers have utilised the Premier League loan market in recent seasons with the arrivals of Abdallah Sima, Fabio Silva and Amad Diallo.
Perhaps a short term deal for Ronnie Edwards can provide some substantial cover at Ibrox as Philippe Clement tries to boost his undercooked squad.
