If a report from Herald Scotland is believed to be true, Rangers are eyeing a summer swoop for Cameron Burgess. But they are not alone in the hunt with Spanish side Girona also keen on the Ipswich Town defender, who is available on a Bosman by the end of next month.
While the Tractor Boys are still discussing new contract terms with the Australian centre-half, their relegation from the Premier League and the lack of first-team involvement this season could see him explore a new challenge away from Suffolk. The Light Blues would offer him European football, and their frailty in deep defence might play a key role in his potential Ibrox move.
The 29-year-old Scotland-born Socceroos international had a brief youth stint with hometown outfit Portlethen Sports Club. His family emigrated from Aberdeen to Perth when he was 11, and the defender eventually joined Fulham’s academy ranks after five years with ECU Joondalup in Western Australia.
However, Burgess only featured four times for the Cottagers in the Championship and mostly spent his time out on loan in the lower leagues of England with Cheltenham Town, Oldham Athletic and Bury. Fulham let him join Scunthorpe United in League One for a minuscule €150k fee, and the spell with the Irons, followed by a loan to Salford City, saw him accrue regular minutes.
Accrington Stanley secured his services for free in the summer of 2020 but sold him to Ipswich a year later for €880k. Soon, he grabbed a pivotal role in the heart of the backline and scripted successive promotions under Kieran McKenna.
Why Rangers Should Snap Him Up
The former Scotland youth international, who later switched his allegiance to Australia, has made 18 Premier League appearances with two games remaining. His experience could benefit the Light Blues, who must find Leon Balogun’s successor. Despite being calm, composed and resolute, the 37-year-old Nigerian has struggled to feature week in, week out due to persistent injury problems. It remains unclear whether his contract will be extended beyond this month, but the club might have an able alternative in Burgess as a left-sided centre-back.
John Souttar remains a regular in Rangers‘ defence, but the summer signings Robin Propper and Clinton Nsiala could not impress. The latter was primarily roped in for the reserves, but Propper’s mediocrity highlights the necessity of further reinforcements in the summer window. Winter recruit Rafael Fernandes is expected to return to Lille after failing to make it into the manager’s plans since his January loan. Versatile Dujon Sterling and the Feyenoord loanee Neraysho Kasanwirjo should not be viewed as central defensive options, and the Aussie ace might be integral to Rangers’ rebuild under the proposed ownership of 49ers Enterprise.
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