Rangers are keeping tabs on Swansea City forward Morgan Whittaker as Michael Beale continues his search for January reinforcements.
The Ibrox boss has been open and honest about his desire to add to his squad this month following his appointment as Giovanni van Bronckhorst's successor.
And Herald and Times Sport understands Whittaker is a player that Rangers have been impressed with following an eye-catching first half of the campaign on loan at Plymouth Argyle.
Swans boss Russell Martin confirmed last week that the Championship club had turned down an offer for Whittaker and Rangers are aware of the situation surrounding the 22-year-old after he returned to his parent club earlier this month.
Whittaker came through the ranks at Derby County and spent the second half of last term at Lincoln City before joining Argyle on what was supposed to be a season-long loan switch in the summer.
He scored nine goals and registered seven assists at Home Park but the Pilgrims were unable to strike a deal to make his move permanent before he was recalled by Swansea and rejoined the group that is managed by former Ibrox defender Martin.
Plymouth's League One counterparts Ipswich Town were also linked with a move for Whittaker but that interest cooled and Martin confirmed before the win over Sunderland on Saturday that the forward would not be involved at the Stadium of Light amid ongoing uncertainty over his long-term future.
"I think it's quite some way short at the moment," said Martin on the bid received for Whittaker. "With that in mind, Morgan is probably not going to be involved at the weekend because, we had a good chat yesterday, with that looming over his head, we need to see where that's going to go."
Whittaker predominantly plays off the right of the forward line but can operate on the opposite flank or through the middle and he has been capped at several youth levels for England.
