Glentoran’s Lindsay seals Ibrox switch
RANGERS have completed the signing of Northern Ireland youth internationalist Charlie Lindsay.
The 16-year-old has made the switch to Ibrox from Glentoran and joins Steven Gerrard’s side on a full-time contract.
Lindsay has already featured in the Irish Premier Division with the Glentoran first team and impressed at the prestigious Alkass tournament earlier this year.
Rangers’ sporting director Ross Wilson was delighted to get the deal over the line, hailing the midfielder as one of the most exciting propsects in Britain.
“We are really excited that Charlie will join Rangers upon the transfer window opening and international clearance being received,” he said.
“Charlie is one of the most sought-after youngsters in the United Kingdom and we are delighted that he sees Rangers as the best place for him to continue in the development of his undoubted talent.
“We are now establishing strong ways of working in our scouting and recruitment teams across the first team and the academy, therefore it’s important that all of our staff have a vision that is clear as we position ourselves as a club that is ambitious to recruit the most talented academy-aged players in the UK.
“We know that as a club we are hugely respected in Northern Ireland and our scouting presence in the country represents us exceptionally well.
“That vision starts with young players in Scotland but within our strategy we have identified other markets that we need to be extremely strong in and Northern Ireland is undoubtedly one of those.”
Rangers’ head of academy Craig Mulholland added that Lindsay is a player with great potential, and thanked Glentoran for their part in the negotiations.
“Charlie is a player who has been a priority for us for some time and we are delighted that he has chosen Rangers,” he said.
“He is an attacking midfield player who is one of the youngest to play senior football in Northern Ireland. Charlie was identified initially by our excellent scout in Northern Ireland, Phil Cowen, and having watched him many times it is clear his attributes fit the characteristics we look for in a Rangers player.
“He is quick, aggressive and loves to make runs beyond strikers to break the back line and has great finishing ability. Perhaps his biggest quality however is his single-minded desire to improve, his obsession to be the best and a focussed maturity rarely found in one so young.
“Charlie also comes from a terrific family unit who provide lots of important support. When players with this attitude are exposed to the environment we now have at Rangers Academy, with lots of ‘best v best’ challenges, and top experienced staff in our coaching, sports science, medical, analysis, education and player care teams, it leads to a very exciting future for both the player and the club. We are delighted to welcome Charlie to Rangers and very much look forward to working with him.
“I’d like to add my thanks to Glentoran for their professionalism and the way they have worked together with us to make this deal happen.”
Posting on Twitter, Rangers midfielder Steven Davis congratulated Lindsay on the move.
“Delighted a young player with huge potential and fellow countryman as joined @RangersFC,” he wrote. “Excited to see how his career develops for club & country!”
ROSS COUNTY captain Marcus Fraser is to depart the club after turning down a new contract offer.
The defender will move on following five-and-a-half successful years with the Staggies, which included being part of Championship, League Cup and Challenge-Cup-winning sides.
The 25-year-old, who made 198 appearances for County after joining from Celtic, was made skipper by the current joint management team of Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson following Andrew Davies’ exit in 2018.
A statement from Kettlewell and Ferguson said: “Marcus has been a tremendous servant to this club, and I am sure will always be fondly remembered by the Ross County family.
“Personally, we can’t thank Marcus enough for his commitment, dedication and professionalism during his time with us and the club; he has always given 100 per cent for this club.
“Having played a big part in some of the club’s most successful moments in recent times it is important that we take this time to applaud a player who has dedicated a lot to our club.
“We wish Marcus and his young family the very best going forward.”
FORFAR ATHLETIC insist the current safety protocols for returning to training are a ‘major stumbling block’ for part-time clubs, and that James Anderson’s £2million gift would not make up for the loss of playing behind closed-doors.
Following encouraging signs earlier that the bottom three divisions could kick off the new season in October with the help of philanthropist Anderson’s donation, which would equate to around £48,000 per club, the Loons concedes there are still many hurdles to clear before action can resume.
A club statement read:
“As has been documented a start date of early October has been mooted but far from confirmed for the three lower leagues in the SPFL structure.
“However, a major stumbling block – especially for part-time clubs – is the, not unexpected, weighty medical and other protocols in place at present for even a start to training.
“It is of course hoped that by early August when pre-season training would commence, these may be relaxed but again no guarantees.
“Confirmation is also awaited by all 42 clubs of a potential gift from an Edinburgh-based businessman towards start up costs, potentially rumoured to be in the region of £40,000/50,000.
“This would make a huge impact though it would far from cover anticipated costs/shortfall, especially if initially games had to be played behind closed doors and without any hospitality revenue.”
STOKE CITY manager Michael O’Neill believes most Scottish clubs will find it a financial and logistical challenge to test players and staff for Covid-19.
O’Neill said: “My understanding is that the testing twice a week as we are doing now is approaching five figures.
“Having spoken over the years to [Motherwell manager] Stephen Robinson and [ex-St Johnstone boss] Tommy Wright – always complaining about their budgets – that amounts to probably about 50 per cent of a lot of clubs’ weekly budget in the Premiership.”