Rangers have been encouraged to make a swoop for Aberdeen talisman Sam Cosgrove, with ex-Ibrox ace Gary McSwegan claiming that the prolific centre-forward could be a Mark Hateley-like figure at the Glasgow giants.
A bold claim indeed, especially when you consider that Hateley remains one of the most lethal strikers in the history of Rangers Football Club.
The former England international lifted six Scottish Premiership titles in the 1990s and scored nearly 100 league goals over two spells in the famous royal blue shirt.
But there are certainly a few stylistic similarities between Hately and another 6ft something Englishman who has scored goals for fun north of the border.
Hitting the back of the net 44 times in just 87 games for Aberdeen, Cosgrove is a nightmare for opposition defenders, having honed his physical, old-school style from a certain Duncan Ferguson during his formative years at Everton.
“I think Rangers need a different type, a bigger striker. I look at Aberdeen and the problems that Sam Cosgrove caused for teams last season. He is the right size, gets into the right places and is effective,” McSwegan tells The National.
“Rangers haven’t had that and I think he could have made a difference in some games. They certainly need somebody of that type who can allow them to change it.
“I mean a Mark Hateley type, somebody who can be physical in the box and pose a threat from crosses.”
As McSwegan points out, Rangers have two of the best crossers in Scottish football in their ranks – full-backs James Tavernier and Borna Barisic.
The two ‘defenders’ have an impressive 29 assists between them in 2019/20 alone and Cosgrove, at 6ft 2ins, would relish the chance to throw himself at such pinpoint deliveries.
The Sun (1 December, page 62) claims that Cosgrove will cost £4 million.
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