Inspired by Southampton, Rangers should challenge Sheffield United for Jason McCarthy

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Rangers want to be more like Southampton – so beating Sheffield United to highly-rated youngster Jason McCarthy wouldn’t be a bad place to start.

Rangers have more in common with Southampton than meets the eye. For one, both clubs are constantly forced to deal with their key players being linked with moves to more financially sure-footed rivals.

Therefore, it makes sense that Rangers would want to follow the South Coast side’s lead. In fact, the club’s academy chief, Craig Mullholland, told the club’s official website that Rangers are taking inspiration from The Saints’ inspired blueprint.

And a good way to start could be to bring one of Southampton’s highly regarded youth products to Ibrox. According to The Sun, The Saints are considering loaning out defender Jason McCarthy this summer with the 21-year-old hoping to impress before the expiry of his contract next summer.

McCarthy, a right-back equally comfortably at centre-half, has earned rave reviews during a temporary spell with League One outfit Walsall. After netting three goals from the back in January, he won the third tier’s PFA Fans Player of the Month award.

Consequently, Sheffield United are reported to be at the front of the queue, with manager Chris Wilder aiming to strengthen his title winning squad ahead of their return to the Championship.

And right-back appears to be an area he is determined to enhance, with the boss admitting that Manchester United loanee Joe Riley could return for a second spell next season.

Rangers reinfocements

However, Rangers could do with a defender with McCarthy’s versatility. Lee Hodson and James Tavernier means they are not short of right-back options but, at centre-half, it’s a different story.

38-year-old Clint Hill (below) is out of contract and looks likely to depart while Rob Kiernan will be subject to speculation again after being linked with a move to the Championship in January.

Therefore, McCarthy would prove an astute, short-term addition at Ibrox. And what better way to learn from Southampton’s example than to watch the progression of one of their most exciting youngsters first-hand?