Rangers warned over move by Scottish Premiership manager who sold key player to Celtic
Glasgow, Scotland — Rangers have been issued a stern warning by a fellow Scottish Premiership manager as the Ibrox club circles one of the league’s standout performers ahead of the summer transfer window.
The caution comes from St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson, who famously sold star midfielder Odin Thiago Holm to Celtic in 2023 while managing at Vålerenga. Robinson, who has been vocal about maintaining the integrity of squad development in Scottish football, expressed concern over Rangers’ reported interest in St Mirren’s current midfield talisman, Keanu Baccus.
Speaking to the press, Robinson didn’t mince words: “I’ve seen this before — clubs with bigger budgets trying to cherry-pick talent mid-project. It happened with Odin and it disrupted the rhythm of our team. If Rangers are serious about this move, they’ll have to be prepared to pay full value and understand they’re not just buying a player, they’re affecting a whole club.”
Rangers, who are actively rebuilding under manager Philippe Clement, have identified Baccus as a prime target to bolster their midfield options. However, with competition growing domestically and abroad, St Mirren is in no mood to let the Australian international go on the cheap.
The Ibrox hierarchy has yet to submit a formal bid, but sources close to the club say early contact has been made. Robinson, for his part, is adamant that any move must reflect the player’s importance.
“He’s not just a good footballer, he’s the heartbeat of our team,” Robinson added. “We’ve seen what losing a key figure does when they go to one of the Glasgow giants. We won’t be caught off guard this time.”
Rangers fans remain eager to see their club add depth in midfield following an inconsistent campaign, while St Mirren supporters will be hoping their club stands firm in the face of pressure from one of the country’s biggest sides.
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