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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Keanu Baccus offered Celtic and Rangers transfer consideration

St Mirren's World Cup star Keanu Baccus should consider a move to the Old Firm, according to Australia No.2 and former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen.

The midfielder started in Australia's 2-1 Round of 16 defeat to Argentina and will return to Paisley to play for Stephen Robinson's side once the Premiership resumes next week.

The Saints boss has already admitted this week he is braced for bids from other clubs and reports in Australia during the World Cup claimed there was interest from clubs in the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the English Championship and the MLS.

And Meulensteen - who also managed Fulham, Brondby and Maccabi Haifa - reckons Celtic and Rangers could also be eyeing up a move for the 24-year-old.

Graham Arnold's assistant manager said: "Perhaps he could also move to one of the bigger clubs in Scotland.

"He has a lot of great attributes to his game, which is why he got the opportunities he did in Qatar. And he made the most of every situation there.

“I could see him go to France, Spain or the English Championship too and fit in there because he has such boundless energy to go with his technique."

Meanwhile, Ross Wilson stressed Rangers’ signing policy was a collective effort as the sporting director faced a grilling from shareholders at the club’s annual general meeting.

Managing director Stewart Robertson praised Wilson for helping move the football department “miles forward” after the board were asked if he remained the right person for the job.

Wilson has been subject to major scrutiny after Rangers fell nine points behind cinch Premiership leaders Celtic before the mid-season break and experienced the worst Champions League group campaign in history.

The former Falkirk, Huddersfield, Watford and Southampton transfers expert earned praise before the season for his role in helping Rangers’ player trading strategy come to fruition with big-money sales of Cavin Bassey, Nathan Patterson and Joe Aribo.

However, many of Rangers’ summer signings have failed to hit the ground running and the slow start to the campaign cost Giovanni van Bronckhorst his job as manager, with Michael Beale brought in as a replacement.

Wilson was quizzed by several shareholders on his influence and record.

When one fan questioned why there were no Dutch signings under Van Bronckhorst and his management team, Wilson said: “The Rangers manager will have the final say on every player that is signed here.

“There was one Dutch player we agreed terms with in the summer who agreed to join another club. That was the only Dutch player that the manager brought forward.”


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