Rangers have been linked with a move for Australia World Cup star Keanu Baccus – with St Mirren boss Steve Robinson well aware of the Paisley club’s position with the midfielder.
South African-born Baccus, 24, was in Qatar with the Socceroos and started against the likes of Lionel Messi and eventual winners Argentina during an impressive tournament where the Buddies star played in all four games for the country.
Having been born in Durban, Keanu Baccus grew up in Sydney and was signed by St Mirren from A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers.
Impressing in the Scottish Premiership, the midfielder now has a spell at the World Cup under his belt and according to reports is interesting Rangers.
The Scottish Sun are claiming that the Ibrox side have scouts watching Keanu Baccus as Rangers whittle down their options as the January window opens.
This is in keeping with the suggestion from Michael Beale that midfield is an area the club are looking to invest in, especially after a season-ending injury to Steven Davis.
Steve Robinson discusses Rangers-linked Keanu Baccus
Rangers may have been linked to the player but so far there hasn’t been any official movement as the Ibrox side prepare for some investment this January.
St Mirren boss Steve Robinson has been discussing Keanu Baccus in the press and claims that whilst everyone is happy for the player’s World Cup foray, no-one at St Mirren is under any illusions regarding their selling club status.
“Keanu was back as soon as he could be from the World Cup, which shows his commitment to the football club,” said Robinson.
“We made him train lightly and he got 45 minutes against Hearts and looked as sharp as he always does.
“We also made him buy us coffees with his World Cup bonus! It’s great to have him back. I don’t see much change in confidence in him because he’s still the same kid. He’s so down to earth with an incredible work ethic.
“Nothing’s changed and nothing will change with him. He gets about his business and it’s like every session is his last session. That’s the way he plays and trains. I don’t envisage that ever changing, whether he moves on to bigger and better things or not.
“It’s all speculation about Keanu’s future which is hard to speak about. What I do know is he’s gone and had a fantastic World Cup.
“It was probably beyond his expectations, in terms of how late he came into the squad. He showed he certainly didn’t look out of place at that level. If anything I thought he was excellent in some of the games.
“He’ll be a St Mirren player for as long as I can hold on to him.
“We don’t hide the fact that the club has to sell players, that’s the model we work on, like most of the clubs at the bottom end of the division. We’ll wait and see what happens with him.”
Keanu Baccus signed a two-year deal at St Mirren in the summer and the Rangers-linked Australian midfielder has played 17 times for the Steve Robinson’s side, scoring twice.
Meanwhile, could Rangers move for a homegrown former Ibrox star to satisfy their European squad quota?
