Liam Cooper of Scotland during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Scotland and Switzerland at Cologne Stadium on June 19, 2024 in Cologne…Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Rangers-linked Scotland international agrees two-year deal after 10 years at English club
Tue 10 September 2024 09:20
Cameron Willis
There was a plethora of names linked to Rangers this summer as Philippe Clement set about rebuilding the Ibrox squad.
Across the pitch, Rangers were linked to a number of defenders, midfielders and forwards as the transfer expectations grew in Govan.
One area of real concern was that left-sided centre-back slot with a number of players linked to Rangers ranging from Jose Cordoba to Stanley Nsoki.
But as the window slammed shut, Rangers brought in right-sided defender Neraysho Kasanwirjo with the club looking short on the opposite side of defence following the departure of Ben Davies.
Now, one free-agent Scotland international option who had been mooted in the press looks set to sign elsewhere, almost two weeks on from when the window closed.
READ MORE: James Tavernier’s ‘market value’ revealed as exit talks launched
Liam Cooper of Leeds United during the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Semi-Final 2nd Leg match between Leeds United and Norwich City at Elland Road …
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Liam Cooper lines up two-year deal in Europe
Some Rangers fans might already be familiar with Scotland international defender Liam Cooper.
The ex-Leeds United stopper spent ten years at Elland Road and has made 19 caps for the Scotland national team before his release from the Championship side this summer.
Rangers have looked to move away from deals for overpaid English Championship footballers, scything around £35m from the Ibrox wage bill before taking into consideration any of this summer’s signings.
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But nonetheless Liam Cooper was named as a potential Rangers target in the Scottish media, the free-agent linked alongside Old Firm rivals Celtic by the Glasgow Times.
A move, perhaps predictably, never materialised and when the window closed Liam Cooper was still left without a club.
But that looks set to change this week with the 33-year-old set to secure a deal with CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria.
That’s according to Leeds Live, who believe Cooper has signed a two-year deal on the continent with Leeds United set to mark his service when the contract is announced.
Uncertainty at heart of Rangers defence
The Ibrox defence continues to be the subject of much scrutiny and fans will note Liam Cooper’s move to Bulgaria.
Especially after Philippe Clement claimed it was a ‘possibility’ that Rangers could explore the free agent market.
The club have made no bones about their failure to secure the services of an experienced ‘number six’ in the summer with left-wing and left centre-back other areas of concern.
Rangers have also driven the average age of the club’s squad right down and Liam Cooper might’ve offered an experienced head amongst the madness of the rebuild.
Instead the Gers go into the rest of the new campaign – or at least until January – with John Souttar, Robin Pröpper, Leon Balogun, Neraysho and Clinton Nsiala as the club’s centre-back options.
Will that be enough to keep touch with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race?
We’ll just need to wait and see…
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