Rangers have now officially missed out on Jerry Yates with the former Blackpool striker ‘really excited’ to seal a £2.5 million move to Championship outfit Swansea City.
During his introductory interview with the Swansea website, the late-blooming striker highlighted the skillset which appeared to make him so attractive to Ibrox boss Mick Beale.
Jerry Yates – scouted by Rangers on numerous occasions throughout the 2022/23 season – prides himself upon his ‘hard-working’ approach. His willingness to ‘work hard with the ball and without’, while doing the ‘horrible side’ of the game.
Add that to his impressive strike rate – 15 for a relegated Blackpool side – and you can see why Beale is such a fan.
The Rangers boss has been at pains to point out that a striker in his team must be more than ‘just’ a goalscorer. He must also press from the front, run the channels, and provide an outlet in transition. Hence why the lethal but rather one-dimensional Antonio Colak could be shipped out the door after one 18-goal season in Glasgow.
Rangers target Jerry Yates joins Swansea City
Swansea paid £2.5 million to bring Yates to South Wales this week. The one-time Swindon Town targetman could have big boots to fill, however, with another Rangers-linked forward – Joel Piroe – expected to be on the move over the next six weeks.
“I’m really excited to be here,” Yates explains. “I hope I can adapt very quickly because I am really looking forward to getting down to work.
“I spoke to a lot of people before coming here, and I wanted to make sure I had the right advice.
“Everyone at the club has been brilliant with me. The facilities are brilliant, and I am just looking forward to getting started.”
“The talent I have seen at Swansea over these last two seasons has been frightening, and I am looking to trying to help the team to achieve our goals.”
With Rangers willing to accept bids in the region of £2 million for Colak, according to the Scottish Sun, Cyriel Dessers is currently the only classic ‘number nine’ at Beale’s disposal.
Rangers could still look to bring in another; Josh Maja and Benie Traore among the potential candidates.
