Rangers-linked Everton defender Mason Holgate was once tipped to “go to the top” under Carlo Ancelotti.
The 27-year-old centre-back is currently on loan at Southampton, with a report in the Sun claiming that Rangers are one of several clubs monitoring his situation.
It’s said that Everton are ready to recall Mason Holgate from his loan stint at St Mary’s in January, with the centre-back making only five appearances for Southampton this season.
Apparently, the situation has piqued the interest of Rangers, with English Championship duo Middlesbrough and Watford also being linked to the centre-back.
Carlo Ancelotti tipped Mason Holgate to have “fantastic career”
Whilst this season has been a disappointment from Mason Holgate’s perspective, there was a time when the Everton defender was being tipped for the top.
Signed for the Toffees on a £2m deal from Barnsley in 2015, former England U21 international Holgate was once amongst the most highly-rated talents south of the border.
Having also been on trial at Manchester United before moving to Goodison Park, Holgate signed for Everton under Roberto Martinez and went on to work under Ronald Koeman, Sam Allardyce and Ronald Koeman at the club.
The managerial merry-go round at Everton continued when Carlo Ancelotti was appointed in 2019 but it was in 2020 that the legendary Italian manager heaped praise on Mason Holgate.
Speaking to Everton’s official website after Holgate signed a contract extension at the club until 2024, the now Real Madrid manager tipped the defender for for the very top.
“I did not know Mason before I came here and I was surprised by him,” said Ancelotti. “He showed in this period a lot of quality defensively, he is really focused in his defensive work.
“He has the quality to be at the top as a defender. He is fast, strong physically and good with his head.
“He is a complete defender. He is really young and wants to improve. He has made no mistakes in the games [under Ancelotti], nothing serious.
“If he retains his focus, he can go to the top. I think he is going to have a fantastic career.”
Is Rangers place to get career on track?
Since the season Carlo Ancelotti made those comments about Mason Holgate, the Ibrox-linked defender has slowly seen his career stagnate.
That season the potential Jamaican international defender made 32 appearances under the Italian manager – who even briefly named Holgate captain – and the next two campaigns saw the centre-back make a further 43 appearances in the English top flight.
But with chances at a premium last season – Holgate only making eight Premier League appearances – a stint in the Championship with Southampton beckoned this year.
The Saints are led by ex-Rangers defender Russell Martin and for whatever reason Mason Holgate doesn’t appeared to be fancied by the Championship club.
The transfer links come at a time when Rangers, who’ve seen a string of injuries interrupt the club’s backline over the last few seasons, could do with defensive reinforcements.
Despite boasting the best defensive record in Scotland this season there remains doubts regarding the availability and longevity of Connor Goldson, Leon Balogun, Ben Davies and John Souttar.
Rangers could also be a good suit for Mason Holgate; the Ibrox club is proving itself a solid option for English talents who’ve lost their way to help them fall in love again with the beautiful game.
Could the defender be the next Todd Cantwell, Jack Butland or even Dujon Sterling to arrive in Glasgow and bolster Philippe clement’s squad?
Some fans are still lamenting the chance to sign an ex-Chelsea star – who has now been likened to Diego Maradona – in similar circumstances.
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