Rival star to Rangers transfer directly addressed as surprise emerges amid Ibrox rumours
Dundee chief David Longwell has spoken on the future of Rangers target Luke Graham
Rangers have seen transfer links with Dundee defender and Scotland Under-21 international Luke Graham emerge in recent weeks, as head coach Danny Rohl looks to identify early targets ahead of the summer window.
The Gers are in second place in the Scottish Premiership at present and are chasing down leaders Hearts, sitting four points behind Derek McInnes’ side ahead of the all-important run-in. There could ultimately be a three-horse race for the title alongside Celtic, which may go down to the wire.
Dundee, meanwhile, are looking to avoid relegation to the Championship and 22-year-old centre-back Graham could be a key part of their fortunes this term. Transfer interest emerged in January and English side Portsmouth reportedly tabled a seven-figure bid which would have been a record sale for Dundee. His future could become a key talking point in the summer window as interest from both Rangers and Celtic grows in the youngster. The Gers are believed to have ‘stolen a march’ in the race.
Dundee chief reveals all on January interest in Graham
Dundee technical manager David Longwell told the Daily Record on Graham: “Every player, at some point, has to progress in whatever that might look like. I was a little bit surprised that the clubs in Scotland weren’t actively looking.
“They probably have him highlighted because there has been a lot of interest from down south. In the [English] Championship, in particular, there was a team who were really keen to get him. There were various bits of interest. It had to be right for us and it wasn’t. Also for the boy, I genuinely think he could go on to a really good level.
“I have been fortunate enough to work with some talented young players in the past, like John McGinn, Kenny McLean and Lewis Morgan. I look at Luke and I see so many similarities in the qualities they possess. I’ve said that to Luke. He still has to work hard, keep improving and keep looking after himself.
“He can play at a good level, he really could. We just need to wait until the summer and see what comes. I would be gobsmacked if there is not a lot more interest in him in the summer. In my opinion, knowing the quality he has, there will be a lot of interest in him.”
‘We needed him’ - Longwell explains rebuffed transfer approaches
Longwell admitted that while Dundee received several substantial offers for Graham in the winter window, they rejected any advances as it was not seen as the right time for the club to sell. The club chief praised the attitude of Graham throughout.
Longwell confirmed: “Clubs came in and put in really good bids. We have been and are still in a fight to stay in the league. We had good conversations with John [Nelms] and we could easily have just taken the money, but we didn’t think it was right for the boy or us at that time because of the situation we were in.
“We felt we would be strong and keep him. The money we were offered was very high and we have to give John a lot of credit. Our opinion, the manager and myself, is that we didn’t let him go, keep him for his own development and for the team. We needed him.
“Luke has been absolutely brilliant dealing with that,” Longwell added. “Look at other high-profile players they start to kick up a fuss, but Luke has been magnificent. The amount of speculation before the St Mirren and Celtic games but the boy went out there and his performances were unbelievable. I can’t give him enough credit for the way he conducts himself and how mature he is for his age.”