Rangers manager Michael Beale made it clear he'll front up to supporters over the profile over potential arrivals.
Project or cast-iron starter? The 42-year-old guaranteed Ibrox followers they will be kept in the loop. And reports suggesting Wolves' Dion Sanderson is on the radar falls into the latter category. The Sun report sporting director Ross Wilson and scouting supremo John Park have run the rule over the 23-year-old in person during his impressive loan spell at Birmingham City. He is ready to play now.
Temporary exits for Sanderson are nothing new, of course, and his stint within the Black Country is his fifth loan in as many years with stops at Cardiff, Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers and two spells with the Blues. Sanderson is under contract with Wolves until 2025 but it feels it's stick or twist time for a player who is enjoying the best season of his career. Birmingham are reportedly keen in a permanent deal but they could be rivalled by Rangers for the central defender who can play in both a back four and three and has experience at right-back.
His myriad of stops across the English football landscape has led to him bumping into some familiar faces and here's what's been said about him.
Lee Johnson (Former Sunderland manager)
The now Hibs manager is never shy to big up his players and he treated Sanderson to effusive praise while he had him on loan at Stadium of Light in 2021. Johnson beamed: "At his age level, he is an absolute Rolls-Royce He has come up against different challenges but has come through them."
Matt Jackson (Wolves loan manager)
The rise of the loan manager is viewed as a very modern job within the beautiful game, however, with teams have upwards of 20 players on temporary exits then it's vital for clubs to be able to keep a close eye on their players. Here's what Wolves' Matt Jackson –speaking to the Athletic - said about Sanderson. He commented: "We know Dion can be at least a Championship centre-back for the rest of his career. He’s proved that. We had loads of interest in January and we could have placed him in multiple places. The QPR style of play is good for Dion because Mark [Warburton, QPR manager] really encourages them to pass the ball.
“It’s a tight ground too, it can be a difficult place to play, so that’s a good challenge. And he’s got the challenge of trying to get into a promotion-chasing team and be around a squad and see what that looks like.”
Mark Warburton (Former QPR manager)
The former Rangers manager is known for his measured approach and didn't blow a gasket at Sanderson last season despite receiving his marching orders in a win over Blackpool. Rather than reading the riot act, Warburton chose to big up the man who fronted up to his team-mates after his error.
“Warburton said: "It could have cost us and he knows that. He was having a great game, made one or two great interceptions, and I was really pleased with him. He’ll learn. Is it right? No. But he’s made a mistake. He was devastated in the changing room – he realised the implication and what could have happened. He apologised to the players and that showed his character.”
John Eustace (Birmingham City manager)
Eustace certainly isn't playing coy over, Sanderson, is he? Birmingham want the defender on a permanent deal and the Brum boss - Warburton's former No.2 at QPR – is utterly convinced the man who is on Wilson and Beale's radar is heading to the top.
He said last month: “Dion has been magnificent hasn’t he? I think we can all agree on that. The partnership there, all three at the back, Harlee comes in, Max is in there, Robbo in there as well, the defensive three throughout this season has been very good.
“Dion is in my opinion a Premier League centre half and we are very fortunate to have him here. I am not going to stop him from being aggressive. There are things I would like him to do better with the ball for sure, which we will work on – but for me that side of him I have no issues at all.”
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