RANGERS CLOSE IN ON TRIO
Cummings set for Ibrox switch until the summer
with their pursuit of Hamilton midfielder Greg Docherty. An initial approach was made to Accies last week, with a formal bid now set to follow. While the Martin deal could edge Bruno Alves closer to an exit amid interest from the Middle East, it would bring another experienced option into the central defensive area of Graeme Murty’s squad. Youngster David Bates, who impressed in the goalless Old Firm draw on December 30, knows he would have to rise to the challenge of fresh competition to stay in the team. ‘I just need to keep trying my hardest and play as well as I can,’ said the 21-year-old. ‘If anybody else comes in, I need to keep playing well and, hopefully, the gaffer will stick with me.’ Bates’ longer-term future at Ibrox appears assured as the club have invited his agent to hold talks over extending a contract that expires at the end of this season. ‘Of course I want to be here,’ he said. ‘I have supported Rangers since I was young. When I first came, it was a dream. Hopefully, I can stay for as long as I can. I want to play here, so we will see what happens.’
JASON CUMMINGS arrived in Glasgow last night and looks set to conclude a loan move to Rangers until the end of the season.
The Ibrox club are working on a deal to secure the 22-year-old striker from Nottingham Forest for the remainder of the campaign with a potential option to buy in the summer.
Cummings switched south from Hibs in a £1million transfer last June but has found regular football hard to come by in the English Championship. He was not included in new Forest manager Aitor Karanka’s squad for Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
With Kenny Miller injured and Eduardo Herrera facing an uncertain future, Cummings’ addition would provide Rangers with a valuable option alongside leading scorer Alfredo Morelos.
The Ibrox outfit are also set to secure a loan deal for Scotland defender Russell Martin this week and will press ahead