Bailey Rice has now rejected a new contract offer and is set to leave Rangers amid offers from European clubs this summer.
Bailey Rice open to Rangers exit
Before the summer can even arrive, Rangers have been dealt some disappointing news. After desperately scrambling to keep hold of their academy star, it’s looking more and more likely that Rice will be heading for the exit door this summer.
The 18-year-old midfielder could have earned more first-team opportunities this season, but an ill-timed injury quickly halted his progress. That, combined with managerial changes, has forced Rice to watch on from the reserves more often than not.
“Yeah, for Bailey, I think it’s first about coming back after a big, big injury. He is working hard in this case, and then we make a decision from our side.” (Danny Rohl)
The teenager wouldn’t be the first young talent to walk away from Scotland in recent years. Both Rangers and Celtic have lost impressive players in recent years, with the likes of Ben Doak choosing to progress elsewhere.
Whether there’s still a chance for the Gers to salvage the situation remains to be seen. Reports have indicated that they’re running out of time with Rice now open to an Ibrox exit.
Schalke submit offer to sign Rice
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano shared the latest that he’s heard about the young midfielder, claiming that Schalke have submitted an offer to sign Rice this summer. The German club are also joined by European giants Ajax in pursuit of the midfielder – sparking an unexpected race.
A club of Ajax’s stature would be particularly difficult to turn down. Their reported interest also only highlights the player that Rangers look set to lose on a free deal this summer in a major blow.
Tavernier sets five-win goal in late title push
Even as Rice edges closer to the exit door, Rangers’ full focus should be on the final run-in of the Scottish Premiership title race. They sit just one point behind Hearts with five games to go, including against Celtic and the shock league leaders.
Club captain James Tavernier is well aware of what’s at stake these days and has urged Rangers to avoid a single error, telling reporters: “We can only focus on ourselves, we can’t really focus on anyone else.
Rangers “most potent creative attacking threat” set to return in huge boost for Rohl
The Gers have a full extra week off before they return to action against Motherwell.
“We’ve just got to get five wins and hopefully that takes us where we want to be at the end of the season. That’s obviously the goal, and going forward we’d like clean sheets as well and not try and make the games harder for ourselves.”