Rangers are reportedly after the Greek colossus, but do Celtic need him more?
Rangers are reportedly looking to make a fifth centre-back signing in just one season by luring AEK Athens defender Vassilis Lambropoulos to Ibrox – but do Celtic need him more?
Greek outlet SDNA claim Rangers are interested in signing two-time Greece international Lambropoulos, who has a contract with the Greek SuperLeague side until June 2019. It remains unlikely that will be extended.
It could see Athens look to sell the defender on the cheap in January, in order to avoid losing him for nothing in the summer window. He has played eight of Athens’ 13 league games this season.
Rangers boast plenty of centre-back options, after Steven Gerrard brought in Connor Goldson, Gareth McAuley, Nikola Katic and Joe Worrall in the summer – with Bruno Alves, Russell Martin, Fabio Cardoso and David Bates leaving.
Though Worrall has been somewhat shaky of late, they are strong in that position and will only continue to improve game by game. Old Firm rivals Celtic, meanwhile, need additions at the heart of their defence.
Dedryck Boyata could leave in January with his contract similar to Lambropoulos, Jozo Simunovic continues to remain injury plagued, Jack Hendry has been unimpressive, and Marvin Compper is nowhere to be seen.
Filip Benkovic can hold his head high, but he is only on loan and Leicester are unlikely to part with a defender they splashed £13million on just last summer. A new central defender is required, and Lambropoulos would be an excellent option.
An experienced defender, 28-year-old Lambropoulos offers European experience with 10 career appearances in both the Champions League and Europa League. He can be signed on the cheap, and offers cover at right-back, too.
Surely then, Celtic need a player of Lambropoulos’ quality at centre-back, much more so than Rangers.
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