When Nathan Patterson left Rangers in January for a then-record fee, it left us short of options to cover James Tavernier. Yes, he has incredible durability but not having a suitable backup would be negligent of Ross Wilson and his recruitment team.
Mateusz Zukowski was signed and the Polish youth cap saw early action in a Scottish Cup tie against Annan Athletic looking good on the ball, strong and athletic in the process, however, he has had a torrid time with injuries and has hardly been seen since.
This has allowed Adam Devine to jump the queue and if a report in Football Insider is to be believed, the Gers B team right-back could well be the next in line to make the step up to the senior squad:
“Rangers have opened talks with Adam Devine over a new contract, sources have told Football Insider.
“The Glasgow giants are working on a deal to extend the terms of the right-back, 19, beyond the summer of 2023.
“Rangers coaches regard Devine as a top talent capable of establishing himself in the first team in the coming years.”
Devine has been seen a few times with the senior squad but, personally, I’ve not been as impressed with him as I have with the others who have broken through recently. Technically he looks sound enough but it’s more the arrogance and self-confidence and how he carries himself.
Patterson, Leon King, Alex Lowry and Charlie McCann have all looked like they belong in the first-team whereas Devine has looked like an academy player, it’s totally subjective and he may develop over the next few years but, given who he would have to replace, he has a long way still to go.