Insider shares what he's heard about 'ripped' Rangers transfer target as knuckling down sparks interest surge
The star has been linked to the likes of Rangers and Sheffield United ahead of the summer.
A coach with inside knowledge has revealed what he’s been told about a star linked with the likes of Rangers and Sheffield United this summer.
Fresh claims have been made this week that the Light Blues are after Luke Graham, amid the Dundee defender’s impressive Premiership form at Dens Park. His performances at centre-back have put a spotlight on the Scotland U21s international and the likes of Sheffield United, QPR and Portsmouth in the English Championship have also been mentioned.
Alex Rae, assistant boss at Partick Thistle and a coach at Ibrox in the Philippe Clement era, has heard from those close to the star’s development. He says a knuckling down in development that’s included a loan to Falkirk has resulted in Graham turning into a dominant star worthy of being linked with Rangers.
Why do Rangers want to sign Luke Graham?
Rae said when asked about Graham on Clyde 1: “I think it's been reported in the papers about the boy Graham. I thought he was excellent at the weekend, very aggressive, natural left sider as well which gives you that balance. And obviously, when you're looking at your European quota of Scottish homegrown talent, then that would be one that would tick the box. So I would imagine he'd be on the radar. It's interesting because you get to talk to people within the game and people who have actually worked with him.
“I think it’s kind of that the penny's drop for him as well, I think, in terms of the way he goes about things. I don't mean this disrespectfully because I don't know enough about the boy. I think he's knuckled down, he's applied himself better, and he's actually benefitting from that because I think he looks chiselled now.
“He looks as if he's ripped and he's actually bullying people. So he’s still get to learn, you know, of his trade because he's still so young . There's plenty of development and for me that would be one for Rangers, or Celtic, or Hearts. I think he would tick the boxes for any one of the three. To be a top player, I think you have to have a bit of swagger and belief.”
What are Luke Graham’s strengths?
Thistle striker Watt was also on the panel and said: “In the past I've seen him but I've not really focused on him. I've seen he's got strong links with Celtic, Rangers and other teams. I think Portsmouth put in a £1.5 million bid for January. I watched him at the weekend going by and I liked how aggressive he was. I liked that he's got a bit of a swagger. He would step in, played a couple of decent passes, and I think he just looked like a proper centre-back.
“I've seen enough at the weekend to say he wouldn't be a bad one, especially when you go with a homegrown quota. I know everybody says that when we're talking about Scottish player, but that means a lot to Celtic, Rangers and potentially Hearts if they get in Europe as well in a Champions League spot. He's kicked on and I don't know how long he's got left in his contract, but Dundee will get a good fee for him in the summer or in the future, I think.”
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