Rangers must fast-track reported summer move for Whatmough after Worrall recall rumours

Tue 15 January 2019 19:45, UK

Rangers and Celtic are ready to go head-to-head to sign Jack Whatmough next summer, .

Portsmouth defender Whatmough is out of contract at the end of the season and Rangers are hoping to snap him up on a pre-contract agreement.

Having already tied up Jordan Jones and Glen Kamara on pre-contract deals, Rangers are now eyeing Whatmough as their next target.

But they might consider fast-tracking this deal and trying to bring him in this January, if Garry Birtles is to be believed.

Ex-Nottingham Forest player Birtles believes that his former team-mate Martin O’Neill could recall Joe Worrall from his loan spell at Rangers, .

Worrall has played 17 times for the Gers since sealing a season-long loan switch from Nottingham Forest last summer.

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

But with the Reds in the midst of a defensive crisis and with O’Neill taking over at the club, Worrall’s immediate future is far from certain.

This could prompt Rangers to increase their interest in Whatmough, who would be a long-term replacement for Worrall at Ibrox.

The 22-year-old has been in fine form for Pompey this season, helping them mount a title challenge in League One.

With 26 appearances under his belt this season, Whatmough is approaching 100 senior games, despite his young age and previous long-term injuries.

The former England under-19 defender’s contract is up at the end of this season and Portsmouth might be pressured to sell to Rangers this month.

Follow us on