David Bates signed from Rangers at random – Hamburg scout

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Bates left Rangers to join Hamburg earlier this summer on a free transfer.

Hamburg scout Johannes Spors has told the Daily Record that he came across defender David Bates at random, before luring the centre-back from Rangers to Germany.

The 21-year-old star left Rangers earlier this summer to join the Bundesliga 2 side after his contract had expired with the Ibrox club. He signed a pre-contract agreement with the Germans before the end of the season.

In what was somewhat of a surprise move, Scotland youth international Bates is just another example of young British talent going to Germany, including the likes of Ademola Lookman, Jadon Sancho and Reece Oxford.

Even Scottish stars have moved to the Bundesliga, such as Reece Burke who moved to RB Leipzig and Spors claimed he only came across Bates at random after getting some praise during an Old Firm derby.

“I noticed David Bates in my research because he got praise as a very young player in an important match for Rangers against Celtic and his data was impressive,” Spors said.

“He was a player who was obviously under the radar, so we watched the game again and he was really good. Then I flew to Glasgow, watched him live and then met him in person. Added to this was a very favourable contract situation.”

Bates’ departure, along with Russell Martin’s return to Norwich City and Bruno Alves move to Parma, has seen new manager Steven Gerrard completely shake up his centre-back options.

Now at the heart of the defence, Gerrard has spent £5million on Connor Goldson from Brighton and Nikola Katic from Slaven Belupo, while Fabio Cardoso remains on the sidelines.

The club are expected to make another centre-back signing before the end of the transfer window, with Scotland’s summer market closing on August 31 – three weeks after England’s window.