Aberdeen have pipped Hearts in the hunt for former Rangers defender David Bates as his time with German Bundesliga 2 side HSV appears to have come to an end.
According to the Daily Record, Stephen Glass has pipped Robbie Neilson with the Jambos having already enquired about the Hamburg centre-back.
That report claims Bates, 24, has signed a three-year deal with the Dons as he looks to get his career back on track and get back into the Scotland squad.
The former Gers star, who has four caps for the national side, has been at Hamburg since 2018 and left Ibrox just before the arrival of Steven Gerrard as manager.
Joining the Light Blues from Raith Rovers in 2017 after initially impressing on loan, the defender was once a highly-rated member of the Ibrox squad.
In season 17/18 Bates played an influential role for a floundering Rangers side who struggled to make an impact in Scotland and was considered by many to be the club’s leading centre-back.
Earning the nickname the Ginger Ramos due to his committed playing style, the defender remains highly thought of amongst Rangers fans who will now see the player line up in the red of Aberdeen.
The Dons have signed a number of players with decent pedigree in this window and a move for Bates comes after the club announced the signing of Newcastle United’s Matty Longstaff.
Should any prospective Bates move to Aberdeen come back to haunt the Gers they might have a word with HSV too.
The legendary German outfit are one of the club’s official club partners and the fans of both clubs have shared a friendship since Glasgow port workers founded an RSC in the city in the 70s!
Speaking of Dons players, one of the Pittodrie side’s players who has been routinely linked to Rangers has just received international recognition.
