Rangers legend Kenny Miller has pointed out a potential headache for boss Michael Beale and prospective signing Morgan Whittaker.
The Scottish giants are keen on signing the Swansea City attacker before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
WalesOnline understands three bids have been knocked back already by Russell Martin's side, who are also set to see Michael Obafemi leave for Burnley imminently. So far the offers have not reached Swansea's required financial satisfaction but it appears as though Whittaker's days in south Wales could be numbered. Indeed, we now entering the end game with just hours to go before the deadline.
READ MORE: Swansea City told Rangers target Morgan Whittaker would be 'good squad option' if he stays
It's been a whirlwind few weeks for the youngster. He was recalled from his fruitful loan spell with Plymouth Argyle and he was due to be involved in the 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers last weekend but asked the coaching staff not to be included after admitting he was not in the right frame of mind to feature amid fierce transfer interest from north of the border.
And in his column for our sister site the Daily Record, Miller has pointed to a potential problem for Beale and Whittaker.
"Michael Beale has become known for wanting to play two No.10s in his Rangers team," Miller wrote.
"But at this rate he could have EIGHT at his disposal for just three slots. With news that Southampton might look to offload Joe Aribo, I’ve even heard some Gers fans say the club should bring him back.
"But where would he fit in? Incidentally, if Michael could get Aribo back on loan, I’m sure it’s something he’ll have looked at, given the Nigerian’s contribution last time around. But, seriously, you can’t just keep signing players for the same position. And after getting Todd Cantwell from Norwich City last week, the manager has an abundance of No.10s – Ryan Kent, Malik Tillman, Ianis Hagi, Scott Arfield, Tom Lawrence, Scott Wright and Cantwell. Then, of course, he also has young Alex Lowry.
"It got me thinking about what might be going through Lowry’s head right now, especially after watching Cantwell come through the door. That position, middle to front, is where Lowry wants to play. And technically he’s got all the talent in the world. The question now is, how is he going to get minutes in this Rangers side?
"It would be easy for the kid to get down about it, go in a huff, and ask why the club is signing more attacking midfielders. But that’s where we’ll really find out about Lowry’s mentality.
"Because I’ve got news for him. For any young player to make it at Rangers – and by that I mean become a regular – you have to be exceptional."
Here lies the issue for Whittaker. Miller fails to mention him in his analysis but comments the youngster made while on loan with the Pilgrims could pose Rangers with a further headscratcher.
"I'm playing as a No 10, which I like because if I'm not getting on the ball or I'm not getting in the game, I have that licence to go and find it," he said earlier this season.
"We don't just have to stay in one position, but everyone in the team still knows their jobs and responsibilities. Everyone is contributing.
"As a No 10, you are in the game a lot more and, as a result of that, you just enjoy it more. I definitely want to play in this position in future. It's where I can get the ball the most and create things.
"I'm confident on the ball and feel I'm capable of creating things each game. Just knowing you can do that and carry it forward helps with the games coming up. It's massive."
Whittaker's preferred position is behind the striker and it would appear his path to that role will be blocked at Ibrox, with Cantwell surely brought in to fill that void. Therefore there would have to be some tactical or positional flexibility shown should he head to Glasgow.
Could he yet remain in SA1? Wales legend Danny Gabbidon believes if Whittaker were to stick around at Swansea he would become a valuable squad option for Martin. "He's been out at Plymouth and done well. He's come back to Swansea and maybe he feels there's not going to be an opportunity for him there," Gabbidon said.
"A big club like Rangers have come in and it sounds as if he wants to go there. From a Swansea point of view, if they (Rangers) haven't put a sufficient bid, off the back of him doing so well at Plymouth, that's probably raised his value a bit.
"Maybe Rangers can't meet the valuation and then he isn't going to go anywhere. It's going to be interesting to see what happens now because he could be a good option for Swansea.
"Swansea probably would have taken £1.5m at the start of the season and sold him. But on the back of him doing so well at Plymouth, they probably think now 'we can get £2.5m or £3m', and they're probably pricing him out of a move maybe, which is probably the frustration for him."
There is just over 48 hours to go before the window shuts. Where Whittaker's future lies remains to be seen but there will be plenty for him to consider, not least the points raised by Miller.
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