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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Who is Rory Wilson? Rangers top striking prospect at the centre of FIFA dispute with Aston Villa in focus

Rangers are at loggerheads with Aston Villa over a move for Rory Wilson.

But who is the wonderkid at the heart of the dispute?

Steven Gerrard is looking to raid his former club of one of their top talents, who confirmed he was leaving Ibrox last month, with FIFA set to weigh in on the move.

It's a deal that could see one of the brightest lights in the Ibrox academy structure leave for the English Premier League.

It's an all too familiar feeling for Rangers who have watched Billy Gilmour progress from the Chelsea academy to the first team, but will Wilson really be a case of deja vu?

Record Sport puts the record of the highly-rated striker – who has netted an incredible hail – in focus.

Who is Rory Wilson?

The 16-year-old striker grabbed the attention of fans last season as he netted a whopping 49 goals throughout the campaign.

The Scotland U17 international scored for his country in the youth Euros against Denmark to round off a prolific tally for the season.

International boss Brian McLaughlin has named him as 'one of the best young strikers in Europe' before the tournament where he started all three group stage games.

So, it's pretty easy to see why former Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard has been keeping tabs on the teenager.

How big a loss could this be for Rangers?

When you look at his stats, you quickly see the player Wilson could turn into.

He is a versatile attacker who has played on both flanks, but really shines as the central striker for both club and country.

Wilson comes to life in the penalty box, with InStat noting that 64 per cent of his shots on goal came from inside the box last term.

A typical performance from the striker was summed up by his display for Scotland U17s against the Czech Republic earlier this year.

His quick feet allowed him to be unleashed on the counter attack before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner as he rounded the goalkeeper.

He would net his second later in the game as he carved out space from himself in the box before a neat right foot finish.

The impressive return has seen him compared to the best young strikers in Europe alongside Eliot Bujupi at Stuttgart and Ben Andreucci at Leeds United.

How close would he be to the Rangers first team?

Well, he is a different type of striker to what is currently at the club.

Gio van Bronckhorst likes his frontman to be involved with play and hold the ball up, which isn't really Wilson's style.

For example, Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos were caught offside almost half as much as the prospect last term - signalling a player who likes to play right on the edge.

With Wilson being an out and out forward, he was also involved less in build up play, in the mix of just 0.14 key passes and recovering the ball in his opponents half just 0.29 times.

Morelos record on key passes is 0.9 and on ball recovery stands at 0.5, while Roofe returned 0.51 and 0.71.

That shows that he may not have been in Dutchman van Bronkhorst's immediate thinking, but was definitely one for the future.

What is the greatest asset Aston Villa will gain?

Aside from goals, a lively frontman.

He bothers defenders winning an average of 2.6 of his aerial challenges during his appearances, while winning 25 per cent of his challenges per game.

Wilson also rarely wasted possession when he claimed the ball, having an accuracy rate of 77 per cent when linked up with a teammate.

The English Premier League side would be landing a player who looks destined for the top - if the dispute between the clubs is settled.

Any other interesting facts?

Well, Wilson has still to sign his first professional contract but has agreed a six-figure boot deal with Adidas.

He is also signed up with the CAA Base agency, who boast a client list of English Premier League superstars.

Heung-min Son, Raphael Varane, James Maddison and Richarlison are just a few names on the same books at the Rangers kid.

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