The Record claim that Celtic midfielder Aaron Mooy was offered to Rangers last summer on a free transfer before the Hoops snapped him up – with the Aussie star since shining for the Hoops, after being snubbed by the Ibrox club.
Mooy, 32, left Chinese Super League side Shanghai Port last summer on a free after two years. He reunited with his old Australia manager Ange Postecoglou at Celtic. It is getting the best out of the experienced £23k-a-week midfielder.
This season, he has clocked up 35 outings for Celtic – scoring six goals, laying on nine. That is despite being named in the starting line-up just 18 of 35 games – coming on as a sub in 17 others. He has been one of the signings of 22-23.
It has since transpired, according to Record writer Keith Jackson, that Rangers were offered the chance to sign Mooy on a free transfer. Of course, the lure of Postecoglou at Rangers’ Old Firm rivals seemingly got a deal for Mooy done.
Indeed, Jackson writes that Rangers did not believe he suited them – or fitted the club’s player profile. That is now proving to be a mistake with the Gers lacking consistency at times in midfield, and Mooy shining in green and white.
Celtic midfielder Mooy was offered to Rangers last summer on a free
How much Rangers would love to have Mooy in their side right now, is huge. Yes, the Gers do have a handful of sold central midfielders. But what is clear, is that the likes of Glen Kamara, Ryan Jack or John Lundstram lack attacking stats.
It is a crucial area of the Rangers side that is lacking at Ibrox. They need goals from midfield, they need creativity. But, Rangers’ midfield seems like more of an engine room and the creativity comes from elsewhere. A mistake, at Rangers.
Indeed, Ross Wilson has been criticised this season given the lack of quality brought in last summer. On the other hand, Greg Taylor has described Mooy as “unbelievable” – a player that also starred for his country at the World Cup.
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