RANGERS AND CELTIC LINKED WITH MOVE FOR INCE

TOM Ince trained as normal at Stoke City yesterday as speculation increases about his future at the club.

The 28-year-old forward has fallen off the radar under Michael O’neill, his cause not helped by a switch to the wing-back system where he doesn’t really have a natural role.

That has been the story of too much of his time at Stoke since a £10m transfer from Huddersfield Town only two years ago, with Nathan Jones also preferring his winger-less diamond formation as he chopped and changed personnel and tactics.

Ince has not featured in 2020/21 in either league or cup and Teamtalk now claim that there are three clubs who could come to his rescue.

West Bromwich Albion are reportedly considering an approach - alongside their pursuit of Huddersfield Town’s Karlan Grant. There is also apparent interest from Rangers and Celtic in what could become an unlikely tug of love.

Ince had played in six of the nine games after lockdown to end last season and O’neill had been conscious of the club’s investment in the former Blackpool and Derby player.

The manager said in July: “I’ve had a long conversation with Tom.

“He knows what he needs to do to get back to being the player he was when the club signed him.

“Tom came off a very good and consistent level at Derby in particular, where he was a regular goal scorer from a wide area, which you need in your team particularly in this system. He hasn’t possibly delivered that here.

“Overall I’ve played him consistently because I believe there’s a top player in there.”