Rangers midfielder Greg Docherty will seemingly be allowed to leave Ibrox on loan.
Sunderland boss Jack Ross has told The Herald that he won’t be signing Rangers midfielder Greg Docherty on loan this summer despite his apparent availability.
Rangers pounced to sign Docherty in the January transfer window, as they landed the boyhood Gers fan after his impressive displays for Hamilton Academical.
The 21-year-old was seen as a positive signing for the future and showed his promise early with Rangers, ending the season as a first-choice central midfielder under Graeme Murty.
However, Rangers now have an abundance of central midfielders this summer after new boss Steven Gerrard brought in Ovie Ejaria, Scott Arfield and Lassana Coulibaly to bolster his squad.
With Ross McCrorie moving into midfield full-time and the likes of Graeme Dorrans, Ryan Jack, Jordan Rossiter and Andy Halliday also in contention – and even Daniel Candeias based on recent games – Docherty is struggling for a shot under Gerrard.
The Scottish Sun reported just days ago that Docherty isn’t in Gerrard’s immediate plans at Ibrox, and subsequently wants to send him out on loan for regular playing time for the coming season.
Sunderland were allegedly leading the race as ex-St Mirren boss Jack Ross seemingly used his knowledge of Scottish football to boost his squad, but a deal now looks unlikely.
Ross has told The Herald that he does think Docherty is a good player, but he won’t be joining Sunderland, as the Black Cats have other priorities right now and must focus on signing strikers before midfielders for now.
“No [he won’t be joining],” said Ross. “That’s not to say he’s not a good player, but we have other priorities at the moment positionally. We have a squad with no out-and-out strikers,” he added.
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