Rangers have been handed a boost in their pursuit of West Brom’s Cedric Kipre with Norwich City manager Dean Smith ruling out a swoop for the £1 million defender, speaking to the Pink ‘Un.
The tears in Connor Goldson’s eyes told you more than words ever could.
In what may be his penultimate appearance for the Glasgow giants, the long-serving centre-back had just witnessed a genuine once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip through his fingers. No wonder emotions were getting the better of him.
Will Rangers ever reach a major European final again? If or when they do, Goldson is unlikely to be at the heart of their backline.
The former Brighton and Hove Albion man will be a free-agent in July and, despite months of speculation, there appears to be little movement on an extension.
Will Cedric Kipre replace Connor Goldson at Rangers?
And, after missing out on Danilho Doekhi to Union Berlin, reports from south of the border suggest that Rangers could turn to a more recognisable face as they prepare for life without a man who has missed just one league game since February 2019.
According to the Express and Star, Rangers have been watching Kipre since his Motherwell days.
And West Brom will not stand in the 25-year-old’s way, the Paris-born outcast having played just once in the Championship since Steve Bruce took over from Valerien Ismael in the Hawthorns dugout.
Norwich City have been linked too, with the Canaries preparing to join West Brom in the second-tier next season. Smith, however, insists there is no truth in speculation suggesting Kipre could be wearing yellow and green in 2022/23.
“Not true,” was the Norwich boss’ rather brutal response.
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The Express and Star believe that West Brom would be willing to sell Kipre or loan him out.
Rangers may also be about to lose Leon Balogun while the injury-prone Filip Helander is entering the final 12 months of his contract. At least a deal has already agreed to bring in Scotland international John Souttar from Premiership rivals Hearts.
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