Rangers hope they’ve found a replacement for Southampton-bound Joe Aribo after striking terms with Tom Lawrence. The Welsh midfield ace is available on a free after leaving crisis-hit Derby County. But the Ibrox faithful calling in the Hotline reckon their club’s buy-low, sell high policy is a recipe for success.
Adam Sinclair emailed in: “This is exactly how Rangers should be approaching the transfer market. As hard as it is to let someone as talented as Joe Aribo leave, we simply cannot knock back £10million offers for players who cost us £300,000, especially with just 12 months left on their contracts. Getting Lawrence in on a free transfer looks like smart business too. Hopefully he can score a few more than Aribo and offer us a little more threat from midfield.”
David Campbell, Clydebank, said: “If there was one complaint about Aribo, it was that he didn’t score enough. But Lawrence has a better strike rate with Derby so adding him to our team on a free means we should be able to reinvest the Aribo cash on a right winger, which is a position Rangers should have addressed years ago.”
Gavin Macleod, Renfrew, said: “A fee of £10m for Aribo is decent money given his contract status. If Tom Lawrence can replicate the impact he had at Derby, it looks like a very astute replacement - although the versatility Aribo offered will be difficult to replicate!”
Chris Lowe, Yoker, added: “A wee thought for the Kerrydale accounts department who are obsessed with anything Rangers. We have recently taken in £18million, rising to a potential £26m, for an academy player and a lad that cost £300,000. Not bad for a 10-year-old club, eh?”
But Celtic fan William Hutchison, Aberdeen, isn’t so impressed, saying: “The other day, a Hotliner said Celtic only brought in loans and players who are free but what do you say now as Rangers prepare to bring in Tom Lawrence from Derby, as you guess, on a free transfer? Pot, kettle and black springs to mind…"
With Rangers’ summer recruitment drive now up and running after the club completed its £1.8million swoop for Antonio Colak, the blue half of the Hotline felt themselves able to turn their attention to what Celtic have been up to in the transfer market.
Jim Mackenzie, East Kilbride, said: "To the person saying Celtic have got their transfer business done early while Rangers lag behind, they have spent around £18million to sign three players that they had last year and all they have added is a left-back and a squad goalkeeper. Standing still is not what is needed and Rangers will bring in fresh players.”
Rab Picken, London, called in: “If I were the mugs over in the east end of Glasgow, I wouldn’t be so cocky. They have bought nothing to shout about. All they’ve done is secure the loan boys they had who had no future at Benfica or Spurs, bought a keeper from Dundee United and a couple of unknowns. They need to ensure they don’t get pumped out of Europe as customary because they really do need a lot of money coming in. Time will tell.
Jake Curley, Edinburgh, added: “Can I add a little perspective on Celtic’s mega millions spending spree. You are nearing Mo Salah’s wages for the season.”
Meanwhile, Everton have taken Rangers place in the controversial Sydney Super Cup but Jimmy Mac, Glasgow, couldn’t resist a little horse play on the subject. He said: “Someone should inform Celtic that the ‘Sydney Cup’ is actually a horse racing cup in Australia. It's neigh a football cup! They’ve got the wrong bit between their teeth there!”
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