Matt Crooks has shone on loan at Scunthorpe United – but the addition of Hearts midfielder Alexandros Tziolis could ruin his Rangers prospects.
Greece’s Alexis Tziolis
With reports suggesting that Pedro Caixinha is looking for up to 12 new faces to inspire a Rangers revamp, supporters may have to get used to an entirely new starting XI next season. And, according to the Daily Record, veteran midfielder Alexandros Tziolis could be one of the first players through the door this summer.
The 32-year-old will be a free-agent when his six-month contract with Hearts comes to an end at the end of the season. And the newspaper claims that Caixinha talked with the Greek international after Saturday’s 2-1 win against Ian Cathro’s visitors to lay the foundations for a switch from Edinburgh to Glasgow.
A common accusation aimed at Rangers’ below-par squad this season is that a lightweight midfield has been far too frequently exposed. However, the imposing Tziolis promises to add steel and presence – something no player in the current squad can provide.
Though Matt Crooks could. Rangers’ forgotten man may have hoped that a loan spell at Scunthorpe United from January to the summer would mean he could return to Ibrox with his first-team prospects enhanced.
The 23-year-old certainly impressed at Glanford Park, his tenacity in midfield and penchant for dramatic late winners making him indispensable to the League One promotion chasers. After starting just once under previous manager Mark Warburton in the first half of the season, Crooks also appeared to be the man Rangers have been crying out for.
However, the dynamic all-rounder may have his work cut out salvaging his short-lived Rangers career under Caixinha. After all, the Portuguese knows Tziolis well from his time as Panathinaikos’ assistant coach in 2007/08.
Therefore, his arrival would represent a body blow to Crooks’ hopes of turning his summer move from Accrington Stanley into a success.
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