- Luke Graham is impressing at Dundee
- Rangers face a battle to try and sign the young defender
- He’s the face of a new era at Rangers
Rangers have advanced their talks to sign talented Dundee centre-back Luke Graham in the summer.
Graham has been exceptional for Dundee this season as they bid to survive in the Scottish Premiership.
The 22-year-old has been subject to transfer speculation south of the border, with Portsmouth bidding £1.5 million in January.
Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh is reportedly at the heart of the discussions, leading the charge to sign the defender.
Daily Record reporter Keith Jackson believes they are ‘far down the line’ over agreeing a deal for Graham.
John Souttar isn’t getting any younger and there is still uncertainty about the future of Wolves-loanee Nasser Djiga.
Graham could be the missing piece in the Gers backline, with one eye already on next season.
Graham is a modern defender.
In a Danny Rohl system, defenders need to be more than stoppers; they need to be able to play out from the back.
He’s made over 1000 successful passes this season and nearly 100 successful long balls.
Graham has proven this season that he can switch up his play, diversifying between short and direct passes and still be successful.
Left-footed centre-backs are a rare commodity.
Graham provides natural balance to the backline, allowing for quicker transitions and better passing angles.
Standing at 6ft4, Graham is a powerhouse in the air and will likely only get better as he matures.
He wins 70% of his aerial duels in the Premiership this season, a vital ingredient in the demanding SPFL.
Succession planning
John Souttar has fallen off the pace this season and could be on the lookout for a new challenge.
Nasser Djiga has been exceptional in the backline for Rangers in the second part of this season.
However, with Wolves all but down in the Premier League, it’s likely he will get an opportunity in the Championship next season.
What does this mean?
It means Rangers are likely to have a hole that needs filling, and Graham has all the credentials to be that player.
He’s registered over 30 appearances in the league this season and is playing regularly for the Scotland U21s.
Rangers scouts were impressed after watching him in Scotland U21s recent 0-0 draw against Czechia.
Beating the competition
Rangers are not the only team after his signature, with Celtic and teams from England monitoring the situation.
Dundee could ask for a price of £1.5 million or £2 million, a steal in respect to the current climate of the transfer market.
Securing one of Scotland’s best talents sends a clear message about the pull of the new era at Ibrox under the 49ers Enterprises era.
Read Rangers analysis
Luke Graham ticks every box: He’s young, statistically elite, has the experience, and possesses the physical profile to thrive at Ibrox.
Graham isn’t just a signing for the future; he’s a signing for the now.
