Like Hearts’ Jamie Walker, Abdul Osman is out of contract next summer and would be an excellent addition to Rangers’ squad.
As long as Jamie Walker does not put pen to paper on a new deal with Hearts, speculation will always be bubbling away in the background surrounding a potential move to Rangers.
The Scottish Sun reported that the Ibrox giants are hoping to sign the 24-year-old winger on a pre-contract agreement in January as his deal expires at the end of this season. Rangers made two bids for Walker in the summer but, after refusing to meet Hearts’ £1 million price tag, the prospect of landing one of Scotland’s most exciting talents on a free is understandably tempting.
Though it seems Walker is rather less enthused by the prospect of Rangers renewing their interest. He admitted to the Daily Record recently that he had doubts about how much he was wanted at Ibrox.
After all, Rangers spent almost £10 million this summer – yet could not spare an extra £500,000 to bring in Walker too. And with the winger struggling to recapture his career-best form of 2016/17, perhaps the chance has passed.
Experienced, reliable and affordable
Instead, there is another Scottish Premiership star with an expiring contract who could prove far more useful to whoever takes over from Pedro Caixinha on the blue half of Glasgow.
Partick Thistle enforcer Abdul Osman is one of the most underrated players in Scotland’s top flight but has been a quietly efficient performer at Firhill since arriving from Crewe Alexandra back in 2014.
And the 30-year-old is exactly the kind of understated player Rangers could do with. Osman has made a career of winning back possession and marshalling his defence.
With Rangers’ backline looking continuously shaky, the experienced and reliable Osman could protect a soft underbelly with a sheet of steel while giving midfield partners Graham Dorrans, Jamie Holt and co the freedom to push forward.
After spending huge sums on a series of underwhelming summer additions, an intelligent bargain would be well received by Rangers fans.
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