Dundee United sporting director Tony Asghar admits he’d ‘love’ Benjamin Siegrist to turn down Premiership champions Rangers and sign a new contract, speaking to The Courier.
If Allan McGregor is to bid farewell at the end of the season, his replacement will certainly have big boots to fill. Or should that be gloves?
Rangers’ next number one won’t just be under pressure to replicate McGregor’s feline reflexes; Deflecting shot after shot like a scene straight out of Shaolin Soccer. They’ll also be expected to lead by example, a winner on the pitch and a warrior in the dressing room.
No pressure then.
With Rangers preparing for life after their 40-year-old shot-stopper, Giovanni van Bronckhorst is casting his net far and wide. Siegrist is just one of a number of targets (Mail).
Like McGregor, the former Aston Villa youngster will be a free-agent in the summer.
Zander Clark of St Johnstone and Schalke’s Martin Fraisl are also on Rangers’ radar.
But while St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson is resigned to losing Clark at the end of the current campaign, Dundee United are not giving up so easily.
Will Benjamin Siegrist be Rangers’ new number one?
“We are still in contract talks with Benjamin Siegrist and (midfielder) Ian Harkes,” Asghar says.
“Clearly, we’d love them to stay on as Dundee United players. But I also realise they have done fantastically well for us. So, if they become free agents, there will be opportunities elsewhere for them.
“Ian has been here since 2019 and Benji since 2018. They have already given us good service but we’d love them to be here next season.”
Siegrist’s agent claimed back a year ago that Celtic had also shown an interest in the former Switzerland U21 international. It remains to be seen whether Rangers will face competition from the club on the other side of the city this summer.
Yes, Celtic have arguably the finest ‘keeper in the league in a rejuvenated Joe Hart. But Scott Bain and Vasilias Barkas could both make way for a more reliable back-up option.
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