Rangers were linked with a loan move for Billy Gilmour in the January transfer window but when Thomas Tuchel blocked the 19-year old from moving, many thought he would form part of his first-team squad, as he had done under Frank Lampard.
Talksport, not known for talking sense, have come up with a decent plan though for players in Gilmour’s predicament, and one that could’ve seen Rangers benefit after the injury to Ryan Jack, as reported by The Daily Record.
Jim White, the Talksport host, proposed that players under the age of 21 should be allowed to move outside of the transfer market so that their development can be improved:
“Billy Gilmour was doing well under Frank Lampard at Chelsea, but since Tuchel arrived, he’s only played 162 minutes for Chelsea, starting in two FA Cup matches.
“He’s not in the squad tonight against Porto and he was denied a loan move back in January.
“Now we know Torino and Napoli are interested in taking him on loan. There’s interest from Leicester and we know that West Ham are big admirers.
“So the loan market: what about a flexible market for Under-21s that’s open for the whole season in England? Makes sense to me.”
There’s a lot to like about this idea and one that should be proposed at a higher level, not only would it benefit clubs looking to fill short term holes in their squads but it would see players – like Gilmour – get valuable game time to prove that they can contribute for their parent club, or put themselves in the shop window for a team that would truly appreciate them.
Vital Rangers Player of the Year 2020/21
Allan McGregor
Connor Goldson
James Tavernier
Steven Davis
It’s just a shame that it’s came too late for Rangers to bring their former academy star back to the club in a move that could have earned him a place in the European Championships at the same time as covering for one of Steven Gerrard’s trusted lieutenants.