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Have Rangers dodged a bullet by missing out on Jamie Walker?

Jamie Walker of Hearts scores his goal from the penalty spot during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Hearts and Celtic on August 7...
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Rangers were repeatedly linked with Jamie Walker before he joined English side Wigan Athletic.

Jamie Walker of Hearts celebrates his goal during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Hearts and Celtic on August 7, 2016 in Glasgow, Edinburgh.

One of Pedro Caixinha’s biggest transfer targets during his time at Rangers was winger Jamie Walker, but the Gers eventually missed out on the Scot as he moved south to join English side Wigan Athletic.

The Daily Record claim Hearts were holding out for £1million for the 24-year-old’s services, with the Gers having three bid knocked back last summer – the highest being in the region of £600,000.

The Gers failed to land one-time Scotland Under-21 international and instead he joined League One side Wigan Athletic, who look likely to gain promotion to the Championship as they remain in second place.

Jamie Walker of Hearts in action during the UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round: Second Leg between Hearts Football Club and Birkirkara at Tynecastle Stadium on July 21, 2016 in...

However, Walker has not thrived as many had expected in England’s third tier, instead being afforded just five substitute appearances under Latics boss Paul Cook.

Walker managed just his sixth appearance for Wigan on Saturday in a 4-1 win over Rochdale, which has seen the former Raith Rovers man feature just 164 minutes in total for the Lancashire-based side.

Instead, the Gers signed Ibrox favourite Daniel Candeias last summer and then the in-form Jamie Murphy in January, who have combined with Josh Windass to form a deadly attacking-midfield trio behind Alfredo Morelos.

Candeias of Rangers vies with Kieran Tierney of Celtic during the Rangers v Celtic Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox Stadium on March 11, 2018 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Surely then, Rangers dodged a bullet in signing Murphy? There is no doubt that Walker’s form in 2016-17 was impressive, but it could be said that he has already reached his peak.

Scoring 11 goals in 2014-15, and another eight in 2015-16 despite only featuring 22 times in the league, Walker found the back of the net 15 times last season. But before joining Wigan, he managed only two in 16.

Perhaps past his best, the Gers have made the right decision to hold onto £1million rather than splashing out on a playre in Walker who is struggling to recreate his best form down south.