Rangers allowed Craig Halkett to leave Ibrox in 2016.
Rangers are in action against Rapid Vienna tonight, and will be hoping to make a perfect response to Sunday’s shock 1-0 defeat at Livingston.
The Gers lost for just the second time under Steven Gerrard as Dolly Menga struck the winner, and gave them just their second blank of the campaign as they failed to break down the Livingston defence.
A key part of that Livi back line was centre back Craig Halkett, who was looking to prove a point against his former club having been let go by Rangers and then-boss Mark Warburton in January 2016.
Now Livingston captain, Halkett has developed into an impressive young defender, earning calls for a call-up to the Scotland national team having flourished since his Ibrox exit.
Gerrard hailed the Livingston defence for their stubbornness on Sunday, and Halkett told The Scottish Sun that it was nice to hear Gerrard praise his work, and some Rangers fans even want him to return to Ibrox in 2019.
Really though, that’s not all that strange to think of. Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic look set to be Rangers’ centre back partnership for some time, but Rangers look set to be in the market for centre back depth again next summer, and Halkett should be on the radar.
Joe Worrall is only on loan until next summer and Gareth McAuley’s contract expires at the end of the season, meaning two new centre backs may be wanted for depth next summer – and Halkett fits the bill.
A boyhood Rangers fan, Halkett would surely relish a return to Ibrox having barely been given a chance by Warburton, and having shown his quality as a defender and leadership as Livingston captain, Halkett is becoming the player Rangers hoped he would be as a youngster but never expected him to be, and a 2019 Ibrox return for the defender should certainly be considered once Worrall and McAuley move on.
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