Rangers undertake EFL League One scouting mission as Under-21 international remains on Ibrox radar

Rangers have ‘sent scouts’ to watch a Northern Ireland Under-21 international as they look ahead to the January transfer window.

Doncaster Rovers left back Bayley McCann has been the subject of Ibrox interest. He played 90 minutes in their 2-0 defeat to League One leaders Stockport County at the Eco Power Stadium. It is suggested that Rangers boss Derek McInnes sent a few spotters to assess his performance.

McCann, 20, who can also play as a wing back, has contributed two assists in his seven appearances to date in the third tier. The former Peterborough United and Barnsley man has also represented his native Northern Ireland at Under-21s level on five occasions. His dad, Grant McCann, who made 39 appearances for his country as a player, is currently managing him at Rovers.

Rangers deploy McCann scouting mission

According to prominent transfer journalist Pete O’Rourke: “Rangers have sent scouts to watch Doncaster Rovers and Northern Ireland U21 international Bayley McCann in Tuesday’s clash against Stockport County.”

McCann is keen to prove people wrong in South Yorkshire that he’s only a mainstay in the team due to his dad being the coach. Wanting to write his own story, in May he told Doncaster Free Press: "I've been told plenty of times 'you're only here because of your dad' or because of who he is.

“But I don't mind that. I like hearing that stuff because it gives me an opportunity to prove people wrong and it gives me a chance to show them what I'm actually about. I love to prove my point and make sure people know who I am and make my mark.”

Rangers set for quiet January

At McCann’s young age, it’s unlikely that he’d be thrust into the first team straight away, especially with the success of James Penrice at full back recently - and Tuur Rommens behind him. Both McInnes and Chairman Andrew Cavenagh have said they expect a quiet January, as they want to disrupt the current squad as little as possible.

Cavenagh said at a fan engagement meeting earlier this month that Rangers fans shouldn’t expect a squad influx in January. McInnes has subsequently echoed those thought and revealed he’s had meetings with the Chairman and CEO Jim Gillespie. He continued: “I think we can cope in terms of numbers.

“The conversations I’ve had with both Andrew and Jim [Gillespie] separately were a couple of weeks ago, after the Celtic game. We spoke about the need for January not to become an unsettling one for us. We spoke about the importance of keeping the squad together.”

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