Rangers midfielder Graham Dorrans was also a target for Carlos Carvalhal.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal has told the Daily Record that he was interested in signing Graham Dorrans, but backed out of the race so he could join Rangers.
The Gers travelled to Yorkshire on Sunday for a pre-season friendly against Sheffield Wednesday, given that managers Carvalhal and Pedro Caixinha are good friends from their native Portugal.
Sone Aluko of Fulham is challenged by Graham Dorrans
It was Rangers who came out on top, as Josh Windass opened the scoring in the first half at Hillsborough, before Kenny Miller sealed a 2-0 win in the second half.
Rangers will be delighted with another pre-season victory having beaten Watford in midweek, with a raft of new signings getting to know each other ahead of next weekend’s meeting with Motherwell.
One of those new signings, Graham Dorrans, figures to be an important player for Rangers this season, after the club spent so long attempting to prise him away from Norwich City.
The 30-year-old midfielder, who boasts Premier League and international experience, started against Wednesday and was a key figure in Caixinha’s midfield, which Rangers fans will be expecting to continue this term.
Before the game, Sheffield Wednesday boss Carvalhal actually revealed to the Daily Record that he did actually want to sign Dorrans, but backed out of the race after learning that the midfielder is a boyhood Rangers fan who wanted his dream move to Ibrox.
Carvalhal admitted that he told Caixinha to take Dorrans and didn’t want to get in the way of their deal, allowing the Gers to have a clear run at signing him earlier this month.
“We looked at Dorrans but when I knew that Pedro was interested I told him to take the player,” said Carvalhal. “It’s true we were in for him but when I heard he was a Glasgow Rangers supporter I didn’t want to disturb Graham or Pedro. The player has a plan for his career and he wanted to play for Rangers.”
“So when I knew this I spoke to Pedro and told him we wouldn’t be pursuing it. He wanted Dorrans a lot and the player wanted a long-term deal. I understood that so I didn’t fight for him. But he’s a top player and we definitely looked at him. We always look at the good players in the Championship and Dorrans was one of the best,” he added.
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