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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Rangers transfer target Auston Trusty worth much more than £2million

Rangers have been warned that it will take much more than £2million to buy Auston Trusty from Arsenal.

Former Ibrox defender Danny Wilson worked with the American centre-back at Colorado Rapids.

The US international made 77 appearances for the MLS club, with the Scot alongside him for the vast majority of those.

And while Wilson would love to see him join Rangers, he's not convinced it's the right move for his career at this point.

Wilson has told Rangers a £2m valuation of the player is unrealistic - as he's worth much more.

He told the Scottish Sun: "I found the story about Rangers interesting – and in a lot of ways it makes sense for them to be pursuing a player of Auston’s profile and characteristics.

“He’s a modern-day centre-back in terms of athletic ability and stature. He’s 6’3, he’s left-footed, he’s like the wind – he’s rapid.

“He’s a very good one v one defender and comfortable on the ball. Auston’s good in the air for his size, of course.

“There seem to be more centre-backs in the game now who are expected to also defend wide areas and one v one, teams who want to play in a pressing way and keep teams far up the pitch.

“But Auston’s got the pace that allows him to defend anything behind and be a really aggressive, front foot type of defender.

“The way I’ve seen Rangers try to play, particularly in the Celtic games where they’ve tried to suffocate them and not allow them out, makes me think someone of Auston Trusty’s profile fits the bill.

“Also, I saw that the belief was Rangers could do a £2 million deal for him. Well, I’d think that would be an unrealistic price tag on Auston for what you’d be getting.

“He’s 24-years-old, he’s just played 44 games in the Championship this year and 50-plus over the course of the season having also gone straight from Colorado Rapids to play in England.

“So, he’s not really had a break – it shows the fitness of the guy, he doesn’t miss many games, if any.

“So, I think someone who has played that well – winning a few supporters’ player of the year awards – it would be tough to get him for £2 million.

“If Rangers were to get him for that I reckon it would be a steal. I can’t see it happening at that level.

“Arsenal bought him in January last year and that was a measure of his potential.

“He came back to us for a loan spell before then going to Birmingham. Only a few months ago he got his first USA cap.

“Auston took a little while to get going for the Rapids. But then he suddenly took off, playing in the left side of a back three, and he took his game to a different level.

“Auston earned his move to Arsenal, there’s no doubt. And after going to Birmingham on loan he hasn’t really looked back.

“I’m delighted for Auston at how things have been going. He’s a good lad and he’s also intelligent. He’ll always think carefully about what’s best for his career.

“Auston’s 25 this year and he’s got the capability of quickly rising to a lot of different levels in the game.

“I’d be delighted to see him go to Rangers. But I’m not quite sure if that’s what will happen.

“There are young, ambitious American professionals who maybe feel the Scottish league isn’t for them.

“But if you were to ask me about a move to a club the size of Rangers? I’d tell ANY player to go and play for them.

“There are very few clubs to compare with Rangers; the demands, the level, everything that goes with it. But it depends on what an individual wants to do."

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