‘Disappointing’: Club hero won’t be surprised if 29-year-old joins Rangers

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Former Dundee United hero Lee Wilkie is not surprised to see goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist linked with a move to Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers, speaking to The Courier. 

February’s top-flight clash between The Tangerines and The Gers could make for rather intriguing viewing.

Because, technically speaking, Siegrist could be a Rangers player by the time Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s league-leaders arrive at Tannadice next month. 

The 29-year-old shot-stopper will be a free-agent in the summer. 

And, according to the Daily Record, Rangers are leading a pack of clubs looking to sign Siegrist on a pre-contract arrangement, one that will see the former Aston Villa youngster move to Glasgow for absolutely nothing at the end of the current campaign. 

Will Benjamin Siegrist be Rangers’ Allan McGregor replacement?

“The biggest loss of all would, of course, be Benjamin Siegrist,” says Wilkie, who donned orange and black from 2006 to 2010.

“News emerged this week of Rangers’ interest in the Swiss goalie. And it’s no surprise to me other clubs are taking a serious look. It won’t be a surprise to United either.

“It’ll be disappointing for the Tangerines to lose such a consistent performer in Siegrist. But, on the whole, I think United have done well to keep him for this long.”

Wilkie has a point. 

Siegrist’s agent admitted some 12 months ago that another Old Firm giant – Neil Lennon’s Celtic – had shown an interest.

After three largely excellent years in Dundee, Siegrist has certainly earned the chance to prove that he can perform on a bigger stage. 

“Throughout his time at Tannadice, the goalie has been nothing but professional,” Wilkie adds of a man who has also been linked with Premier League Southampton.

“He’ll have had interest from elsewhere already but that’s not affected him on the pitch. And I’d expect that to continue, even if he knows his future is elsewhere. 

“Even if he signs for The Gers, I’d expect him to relish a chance to go to Ibrox and put on a show later in the season.” 

Rangers have also been linked with St Johnstone’s Zander Clark and West Brom’s England international Sam Johnstone as they step up their pursuit of a potential Allan McGregor replacement.