Rangers are looking to stop Celtic from claiming a historic title triumph this season.
Steven Gerrard’s side are pretty much all that stands in the way of Neil Lennon’s side claiming a 10th successive Scottish Premiership title, and they are out to break the streak.
The 2020/21 season began for the Scottish clubs over the weekend, due to the complete chaos wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Celtic, of course, beat Hamilton 5-1 to jump straight to the top of the table, while Rangers beat Aberdeen 1-0.
Three points are three points, though, and it is intriguing to think that the transfer window is also open in Scotland while they are playing; they can strengthen their squad whenever they want to up to October 5th.
But that also opens the door to both clubs losing stars, especially if Premier League clubs want to snap up their first-team players.
And Football Insider reports that a young prospect could be snaffled away by Manchester City.
Rising star Adedire Mebude has reportedly accepted City’s offer to move to the Etihad Stadium, with the English giants set to pay a six-figure fee for his signature.
Rangers had offered him a professional contract but he has rejected it, instead choosing to continue his career south of the border.
He is the younger brother of Dapo Mebude, who also plays for Rangers, and he will link up with City’s Under-18s before playing for the Under-23s, though the deal has yet to be concluded.
Mebude is just 16 and has played for Scotland’s U16 side.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
This will be a blow for Rangers but this is just the way the football food chain works.
City are clearly a predator in the market, stalking their prey and waiting to strike.
They clearly believe that Mebude is a player who can add something to their academy, and he will only benefit from receiving professional schooling at one of the biggest football clubs in the world.
Rangers have experience of this, though, and previously lost Billy Gilmour to Chelsea when he was still a fresh-faced kid.
He has now established himself as a first-team player at Stamford Bridge, and the Gers will be desperate not to see Mebude do the same at the Etihad.