OPINION
Rangers will land a gem if they see off interest from Celtic to land Jon Flanagan.
The Ibrox giants are said to be on the verge of making the defender, 25, their seventh summer signing as Steven Gerrard once again makes full use of his Liverpool connections.
Glasgow Evening Times report Anfield academy product Flanagan is “closing in” on a move north of the border after the Merseysiders announced on their official website on 8 June that he would leave when his contract expired at the end of this month.
It is a blow to Celtic, who have also been credited with interest in a player known well to their manager Brendan Rodgers and were reported by the Sunday Post earlier this month to be ready to table an offer for him.
The Scottish champions made Odsonne Edouard their record signing last week but have been eclipsed in terms of transfer activity by their bitter rivals on the other side of Glasgow.
A whirlwind of arrivals has demonstrated the clear desire to narrow the gap on Rodgers’ side, who have majisterially swatted all domestic challenges aside in the last two years.
In Flanagan, Rangers would be getting a proven Premier League player who has suffered the slings and arrows of life at a Premier League giant.
The full-back made his name with a series of outstanding performances in the 2013-14 season in which Liverpool so nearly won the title under Rodgers but a series of shattering knee injuries derailed his career.
Flanagan has also endured off-pitch issues which have blackened his name and cast a shadow over his final months at Anfield.
Gerrard is seemingly keen to offer the carrot for his former team-mate to resurrect his career in an arena he will recognise for its traditions and huge passion.
Flanagan has not been able to recapture the heights of four years ago – not yet, at least – but he has pedigree and a serious work ethic.
Assuming his injury issues are behind him, Rangers could be about to seal their best deal yet for a player who won’t require a transfer fee.
