LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

Rangers still need Scottish talent – and Caixinha must follow up interest in Jamie Walker

Celtic's Stuart Armstrong (L) and Celtic's Mikael Lustig in action with Heart's Jamie Walker (Reuters)
Follow us on Google Discover

Rangers have been linked with a move to bring Jamie Walker to Ibrox this summer.

Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha before the matchRangers manager Pedro Caixinha

Rangers have already snapped up two wingers this summer, with manager Pedro Caixinha landing Portuguese compatriots Dalcio and Daniel Candeias from Benfica.

Dalcio, 21, is an unpredictable signing, providing real pace but a lack of experience, having only featured for the Benfica B team in recent years, whilst Candeias reunites with Caixinha having worked together at Nacional.

29-year-old Candeias has played around Europe and could make an instant impact, given that he has already worked with Caixinha, but question marks remain over Rangers’ options out wide.

Daniel Candeias (L) in action for NacionalDaniel Candeias (L) in action for Nacional

Barrie McKay could leave given that he’s out of contract in a year’s time, whilst Michael O’Halloran and Martyn Waghorn could find themselves on the chopping block as well after poor seasons.

Joe Dodoo could play out wide, but Rangers should be looking for one more winger who can make an immediate impression at Ibrox – and Hearts ace Jamie Walker is the man they should target.

Andy Murdoch (L) in action with Heart of Midlothian's Jamie WalkerAndy Murdoch (L) in action with Heart of Midlothian’s Jamie Walker

Walker, 23, has already told Hearts that he wants to leave the club this summer, and the Daily Mail suggested last week that Rangers remain keen on signing him even after landing Dalcio and Candeias.

With 12 goals and two assists this past season, Walker was one of Hearts’ key players, and he would provide an instant knowledge of Scottish football that Rangers may be lacking right now.

Ryan Jack is the only summer signing Rangers have made who has played in Scotland, with Caixinha relying heavily on imports such as Bruno Alves, Fabio Cardoso, Carlos Pena, Eduardo Herrera, Alfredo Morelos, Dalcio and Candeias.

Celtic's Stuart Armstrong (L) and Celtic's Mikael Lustig in action with Heart's Jamie WalkerCeltic’s Stuart Armstrong (L) and Celtic’s Mikael Lustig in action with Heart’s Jamie Walker

Bringing in at least one more top Scottish Premiership player should be a priority even after making so many signings, and Walker’s statistics – as well as his potential availability having admitted his intention to leave Hearts – should put him at the top of Rangers’ wish list.

Even if McKay stays, Walker would be a signing both for now and for the future, and given that Dalcio is a gamble who is only on loan for the season, Caixinha should now be plotting his move for Walker to boost his attacking options even further.

Would you like to see Rangers sign Walker?