Rangers defender David Bates will leave Ibrox this summer after signing a pre-contract agreement with German side Hamburg.
Rangers’ next manager’s first priority at Ibrox this summer must be to bring in a new central defender after David Bates signed a pre-contract agreement with German side Hamburger SV.
It remains to be seen if Graeme Murty will remain in the dugout, but whoever is in charge will need to replace arguably the Gers’ best centre-half.
Bruno Alves’ future at Ibrox remains in doubt as he is used as a bit-part option, while Fabio Cardoso has featured just three times in 2018. Russell Martin is only on loan at Ibrox, meaning Bates may not be the only defender to leave.
The Gers need to add a defender who understands the rivalry between Celtic and Rangers, as well as the style of the fast-paced Scottish Premiership. Luring one of their former players back to Glasgow may be the best way to do that.
Step forward Kyle Bartley, who remains on the fringes at Premier League side Swansea City. The 6ft 4in defender has featured just four times in the Premier League this season and could be made available by the Swans in the summer.
The former Arsenal defender featured 30 times for the Gers during an 18-month loan in which he helped Rangers hold aloft the 2010-11 Scottish Premiership title. In his time at Ibrox, he faced Celtic four times.
Boasting impressive aerial ability and nimble footwork for a tall player, Bartley has since added leadership to his many qualities as he becomes a more experienced defender and would not only replace Bates, but improve on the departing academy product.
If the Gers can land Bartley they would be pulling off a major coup for the 2018-19 season, as they look to close the gap between themselves and Old Firm rivals Celtic.
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