A few media outlets appear to have jumped the gun on both Glen Kamara and Connor Goldson signing new Rangers contracts, with the latter’s situation the one causing most concern given that he has just a year left on his current deal.
Ross Wilson has been linked with a couple of centre-halves over the summer window so far and having missed out on Joseph Okumu, the one name that refuses to go away is Danilho Doekhi, the Dutch youth cap who has just been named as Vitesse Arnhem’s club captain – a move the player himself claims does not guarantee that he will be staying at the Eredivisie side, as reported by Omroep Gelderland via The Daily Record:
“It is not the case that the captain’s armband now convinced me to stay. I was already second captain, so there was a chance that I would become captain when Pasveer left. So it is not an extra trick from the club to to keep me here.”
For all that Rangers aren’t concerned about Goldson’s contract, if it is to run down, they need to have a replacement lined up and Doekhi would be a perfect fit, that he has just one year left on his current contract makes him even more appealing.
At 6ft 3inches tall he has the physical presence to match the Gers vice-captain but it is his ability with the ball that makes him the ideal man to step into Goldson’s shoes should he decide not to extend his stay at Ibrox, confident either dribbling the ball out of defence or playing line-splitting passes is a trait that we have seen put to good effect over the last couple of years and one that is essential for the way that Steven Gerrard sets up his team.
That he has been part of Vitesse Arnhem’s leadership group for a couple of years, despite his inexperience, also shows qualities that are essential as a Ranger, strength of character is almost as important as ability.
At 23-years old, £2.7million rated Doekhi still has a lot to learn but with nearly 100 top flight appearances and his formative years spent in Ajax’s world famous academy, he would be the perfect addition to a squad already bristling with talent – regardless of whether or not Goldson goes.