Bowyer claims Ibrox-linked Tilt has been outstanding since Rangers speculation began

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Rangers have been linked with a move to bring Curtis Tilt to Ibrox.

Blackpool manager Gary Bowyer has told the Blackpool Gazette that he feels defender Curtis Tilt has been ‘outstanding’ ever since speculation surrounding interest from Rangers.

Tilt, 26, spent the majority of his career in non-league football with Halesowen Town, Hednesford Town, Telford United, Wrexham and Forest Green Rovers before heading to Blackpool in 2017.

The 6ft 4in centre back has starred with the Seasiders, and his performances at Bloomfield Road have now prompted interest in his signature this summer.

The Mirror recently reported that Rangers have been closely monitoring Tilt, whilst Championship club Ipswich Town – now heavily shopping in League One since appointing Paul Hurst as their new manager – are also keen.

Blackpool are demanding a £1million fee for Tilt, who they signed for free just last summer, and Rangers may well view him as a cheaper alternative to Millwall’s Jake Cooper as Steven Gerrard pursues a left-footed centre back.

Rangers have yet to make any firm move for Tilt, but his manager Gary Bowyer has been speaking about the situation, and has suggested that Tilt has been ‘outstanding’ ever since the speculation began.

Bowyer, speaking to the Blackpool Gazette, noted that the defender didn’t want to come off in a pre-season came and has handled himself perfectly, with Blackpool still yet to accept any offer for their star defender.

“He’s been outstanding ever since the speculation started. It doesn’t make any difference to him – he just gets on with it,” said Bowyer. “Today he was scheduled to only do 60 or 75 minutes but he was like, ‘No, leave me on’. That tells you everything about him.”

“This next challenge in terms of dealing with the speculation has not bothered him one bit. He’s been majorly impressive for us. There have been no bids accepted as yet but obviously that’s out of my control and up to other people. All we can do is keep working with him. If he’s with us at the start of the season, then great,” he added.