Rangers face competition from Turkey to sign 'one of Europe's most promising right backs'

Mexico and South Africa kicked off the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals last night with the host nation wining 2-0 at the famous Estadio Azteca.

While football’s biggest competition takes place and Steve Clarke’s Scotland get set for their opening match against Haiti, there is plenty going on domestically as well. The news broke yesterday that Rangers head coach Danny Rohl was ‘in talks’ over a potential move to Austrian heavyweights Red Bull Salzburg.

It comes amidst the backdrop of the summer transfer window and could potentially disrupt the Ibrox club’s recruitment plans. It may very well open the window for other clubs to swoop in on a promising young defender who has been linked with the Glasgow giants.

Rangers face competition to sign Sweden under 21 defender after impressive Allsvenskan campaign

According to Vatan, there is growing interest in Hammarby IF right-back Hampus Skoglund from Turkish SuperLig outfit Amedspor. It is claimed that their Director of Football Serkan Reçber wants to sign the 22-year-old having followed his career since his time working with Beşiktaş.

Skoglund, a Sweden under 21 international, has made almost 100 appearances for the Allsvenskan outfit despite his young age. He was a regular during the 2025 campaign as Hammarby finished runners-up to champions Mjallby IF and qualified for the UEFA Europa League.

He has continued as an important player for the club this season which has understandably seen him attract interest. The report from the Turkish publication described Skoglund as “one of the most promising right-backs in Europe”.

Clubs from Germany, France and Italy are all also said to be keeping tabs on the defender with the transfer race expected to be ‘very competitive’. Rangers are understandably prioritising a right-back this transfer window following the departure of club captain and Ibrox legend James Tavernier.

Rangers could get first hand look at reported summer transfer target soon

There’s every chance that Rangers supporters could end up seeing Hampus Skoglund in action at Ibrox before he leaves Hammarby. The Swedish outfit enter the UEFA Europa League in the Second Qualifying Round which is due to be played next month.

If they win that tie then they enter the draw for the Third Qualifying Round where Rangers are one of the clubs they could be drawn against. If Skoglund is still with Hammarby at that point then it could prove to be the perfect scouting mission for the Glasgow outfit.

The draw for the Third Qualifying Round of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League is due to be made on July 20 with the first leg of the tie played on August 6 and the second one week later on August 13. Rangers will need to win that tie and then a Play-off Round tie in order to reach the League Phase of this season’s competition.

If they do slip up in qualifying then they will also have opportunities to qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League, a competition they have never competed in.

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