Rangers have made a move for Hearts ’ rising starlet James Wilson.
The Light Blues are set to open talks with the Scotland under-16 cap, who is also attracting interest from the English Premier League. Rangers officials have written a letter to Hearts instructing them of their intent to talk to the highly-rated striker over an Ibrox move. The new compensation ruling means that Hearts are powerless to stop Rangers if the player indicates that he wants to hold talks, although they have since given permission to their rivals.
Hearts are still fighting to convince Wilson that their academy player of the year’s long-term future should be at Tynecastle. The striker turns 16 next month and can then sign professional forms. The Jambos have high hopes for Wilson who has already been involved with Stevie Naismith ’s under-18 squad. It is now a major part of Rangers’ long-term plan to invest heavily in their academy.
That has been shown over the last 12 months with the Ibrox side supplementing their own emerging talent with the likes of Lancelot Pollard from Aberdeen, Greig Allen from Hearts and Bailey Rice has come in from Motherwell. Rangers have also made moves south of the border to bring in Millwall’s Zak Lovelace, Charlie McCann from Manchester United and Wimbledon’s Archie Stevens.
The likes of McCann have already made his first-team debut while Lovelace has been training under new boss Michael Beale. There is now a clear pathway for young players coming through under the guidance of sporting director Ross Wilson.
Nathan Patterson came through and won his move to Everton, while Leon King had been given an extended run and Alex Lowry was also getting first-team exposure before his recent injury.
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