With Derek Cornelius expected to leave Rangers, it is imperative for them to bring in a new centre-back in the coming months.
Alex Rae believes Luke Graham checks a lot of boxes
Rae watched Graham in action against Celtic on Sunday, with Dundee losing that game 2-1.
Despite the result, the former Rangers midfielder was impressed with the 22-year-old’s aggression and the balance he brought to the left side.
Having spoken to people in the game who have worked closely with Graham, Rae claims that he has buckled down and worked on himself to become one of the best young defenders in Scotland.
This is primarily why Graham has been heavily linked with a move to Ibrox this summer
Read Rangers even reported earlier this week that the defender had agreed terms with the Light Blues over a transfer.
It is now down to the two clubs to agree on a transfer fee if the deal is to go ahead, as Celtic are interested in him as well.
Graham has another year left on his contract at Dundee, so that certainly will come into account while discussing the fee.Rae told Clyde 1’s Superscoreboard: “I think it has already been mentioned; it has been reported in the papers a bit.
“The boy Graham was excellent at the weekend, very aggressive, naturally left-sided as well, which gives you that balance.
“And obviously, when you are looking at your European quota of Scottish homegrown talents, then that would be one ticking the box.
“So, I would imagine that he would be on the radar.“I have [been impressed], and it is interesting because you get to talk with people within the game, people who have actually worked with him and I think the penny has dropped for him as well in terms of ways he goes about things.
“I don’t mean any disrespect. I don’t know enough about the boy. I think he has buckled down, he has applied himself better and he is actually benefiting from that.
“Because I think he looks chiselled now, looks as if he has been ripped. And he is actually bullying people.
“He has still got to learn his trade because he is so young, and is playing and developing.“For me, that would be one that Rangers or Celtic or for that matter, Hearts will tick the boxes for any one of the three.
”Why Rangers must move quickly to sign Graham
Left-footed centre-backs are not common in the game, especially ones of Graham’s calibre.
He could become one of the best players in the Scottish Premiership in the coming years, so Rangers’ interest is not just for the present but the future as well.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Nasser Djiga’s future, it makes sense for the Ibrox outfit to agree on a deal to sign Graham.
Even if Djiga returns, either on loan or permanently, having competition for places for always healthy and can get the best out of the squad.
Also, with Celtic also in the market for a defender and keeping tabs on Graham, it makes sense for Rangers to move quickly.
