Rangers turned down chance to sign Ali McCann, claims ITK Twitter account

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A leading Scottish football Twitter account has claimed that Rangers manager Steven Gerrard and sporting director Ross Wilson turned down the chance to sign St Johnstone’s Ali McCann.

Rincon Escoces are a Spanish speaking Scottish football account who in our experience have had a solid track record of stories on the country’s national game.

Rangers turned down the chance to sign Ali McCann, claims ITK Twitter account. (Photo by Mehmet Eser/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

McCann, 21, is a popular player amongst Rangers fans and many have previously urged the Ibrox club to move for the Northern Irish international midfielder in the past.

However – and whilst Rincon Escoces admit Rangers were monitoring the player – McCann sealed a £1.2m deadline day move to English Championship Preston North End.

The low transfer fee will be of particular interest to Rangers fans who had McCann pinned down as a potential long-term Steven Davis replacement.

However, as Rincon Escoces explain, the Gers turned down the opportunity to move for McCann due to prospects currently at the Ibrox club.

The Gers have opted to keep Stephen Kelly around this season – a player in a similar mould to Ali McCann – whilst Rangers B have also been boosted by the signing of ex-Man United kid Charlie McCann this season.

The young midfielder has been so impressive that he’s already turning heads at the Lowland League level and Charlie is sure to be in Rangers’ thoughts heading forward.

“Steven Gerrard and Ross Wilson dismissed the signing of Ali McCann by Rangers yesterday,” tweets the account

“Last night, in St. Johnstone they received the offer from Preston North End for the transfer of Ali McCann and, at that moment, St. Johnstone, knowing that Rangers were following the player, contacted those of Ibrox to see if they would improve the offer presented by the English club.

“At that point, both Steven Gerrard and Ross Wilson make the decision NOT to do so. The reason?

“They believe that, if they had signed him, the progression of Stephen Kelly and Charlie McCann, players in whom the club has high hopes, would have been cut.

“Time will tell if the decision is correct or not, but, of course, Steven Gerrard’s bet is surprising not to undertake the incorporation of a young player of the level of Ali McCann and for a very affordable price.”

Whatever the case, the transfer has certainly turned a few heads north of the border after St Johnstone accepted a 40^th of the price they sarcastically quoted earlier in the summer.