Rangers have been urged to "explore" a move for Billy Gilmour this summer - with David Weir's position at Brighton touted as a potential driving force behind the move.
The Ibrox academy graduate has stalled since exploding onto the Chelsea first-team scene - where he lifted the Champions League - after his a loan switch to relegated Norwich City didn't go to plan last term, while he has failed to make his mark at the Amex Stadium so far this season. He's started just twice under new boss Roberto de Zerbi after being brought in by Graham Potter and hasn't had a minute of football since February.
Things didn't get any better for the 21-year-old after being called up for Scotland's Euro 2024 qualifiers double header, where he failed to make it off the bench in the victories over Cyprus and Spain. Concerns over Gilmour's progress has seen a potential return to Rangers floated with former captain Barry Ferguson urging the Ibrox side to make an approach to the Premier League side.
Former Rangers captain Weir is now technical director at Brighton - and he has been backed to play a key role in any move for the midfielder to Ibrox. Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, Mark Guidi claimed Weir could come up with a loan package that suits all parties.
He said: "If you are Billy Gilmour, you have barely kicked a ball in two years. The year at Norwich and the year so far, and he is too good a player for that.
"If you are Billy Gilmour you could say 'it's not worked out down south, and I want to go back to Rangers for a year'. He could get 50 first team games, go and win trophies and play in Europe. Play on the front foot, get an appetite back and move up beside your family. I think it's a no-brainer.
"If you are Brighton £7million is not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things. If Rangers go and say 'can we have Billy Gilmour?' and give him 50 first team games you either get a boy back who is confident or has enhanced his value.
"Financially, I don't think Rangers could afford to buy him and pay his wages. That is off the table. But, Davie Weir is in there, in a very senior position. He could find a way to make this deal happen. If Billy Gilmour is wanting it and driving it from his end, and Michael Beale wants him, they should definitely explore it."
Record Sport columnist Ferguson added: "You have to look at it. I forgot about my ex-teammate Davie - he is on of the main men at Brighton. I think you explore it, and if it's too rich you come away from it. It would be crazy not to have a chat about it."
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