BBC pundit Jonathan Pearce has mooted Rangers star Glen Kamara as a potential replacement for Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma amid speculation.

Kamara, 25, made his international tournament debut on Saturday night as he started for Finland in their European Championships opener.

Speaking during a live broadcast on the BBC [12/06/21], Pearce and fellow commentator Martin Keown waxed lyrical about the Light Blues midfielder’s performance.

Pearce said: “He was linked with Brighton the other day, Kamara. Steven Gerrard won’t be pleased and the speculation is continuing.”

“You can see why, he’s very disciplined,” Keown replied.

Pearce: “A number of Premier League clubs have been linked with him.”

Keown: “He’s performed well, he’s looked comfortable.”

Pearce: “If Bissouma leaves Brighton as many people think will happen for a big fee, then maybe he’ll be the replacement.”

He can do better than Brighton

Kamara has been a sensation since he joined from Dundee for a paltry £50,000 sum in 2019.

He may not weigh in with a tonne of goals or assists, but his value is evident for all Bears to see.

He knits the midfield together, links play and keeps hold of the ball better than anyone else, possibly in the whole Scottish Premiership.

However, there may come a time when the so-called ‘elite’ clubs swoop in and offer big money to him and the club.

We can see him at one of the top clubs in England, which is where he started his professional career.

But we can’t envisage him ending up at Brighton, even if they are desperate to splash the cash in the event Bissouma leaves them.

They only just survived relegation to the Championship, so why would Kamara throw away the chance of Champions League football with the Gers to battle at the bottom?

It’s not one we can see, but we’re still bracing ourselves for some heavyweights coming in, such are the obvious talents of Kamara.

In other Rangers news, Kris Boyd & Connor Goldson react as exit-bound ace issues emotional Gers message.

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Rangers forward Greg Stewart has issued an emotional farewell on Instagram ahead of his summer exit, with players past and present leaving their messages.

The 31-year-old arrived as a free agent in 2019, after his contract at English side Birmingham City expired.

He returned to the club where he began his footballing career until he was released at 13, and he made 33 appearances in his first season at the club.

However, he found himself marginalised in the 2020/21 campaign as the Gers surged to an invincible season in the Scottish Premiership, a competition he featured in just five times.

Rangers announced earlier this week [Tuesday, 08/06/21] that Stewart would leave the club this summer, and on Saturday [12/06/21] he bid his goodbyes on his personal Instagram profile.

Connor Goldson commented: “Best five-a-side player I’ve ever seen. All the best for the future my man. Been a pleasure.”

Scott Wright said: “What a man.”

Ex-Gers striker Kris Boyd also offered his support, sending three clapping emojis.

Lived the dream

It really was fairytale stuff for Stewart.

While he may not have played as much as he would have liked, particularly during his second season, he lives as an Invincible having crushed Celtic’s dreams of 10-in-a-row.

As a lifelong Bear, it doesn’t get much better than that.

Stewart didn’t cost the club a penny in transfer fees and offered a dependable option if Steven Gerrard ever needed to call on him.

With the supreme talents of stars like Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos along the forward line, it’s no slight on Stewart that he ‘failed to make the grade’, as such.

As evidenced by the comments on his social media post, and the tribute left by the club and Ross Wilson on his exit announcement, it’s clear to see he was a well-received and popular player within the squad.

He will now be free to resume his career elsewhere and find more regular playing time, while it frees up some wages for the first team squad for Gerrard to strengthen his squad.

In other Rangers news, Ross Wilson reportedly wants to sign these two midfielders the Gers could sell on for major profit.

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We’re delighted to welcome former Rangers manager Alex McLeish as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…

Alex McLeish has insisted that Rangers may only make one or two more signings this summer at Ibrox.

The latest link is from the Bundesliga, with Kicker reporting that Steven Gerrard has opened talks with Salih Ozcan from FC Koln.

McLeish believes that more competition in that central area will be key, and has backed the Bears to strengthen that spot.

Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, McLeish said, “The recruitment has been key.

“His team is actually the most important addition for the manager when he’s trying to do his job.

“I would think that midfield would be the area they want to strengthen, you are looking for massive competition in the squad.

“If Rangers can only add a player or two, then that’s just nature. You’ve got to be competitive to succeed.”

Needed.

Ozcan has been one of those names that continue to pop up.

With strong links over the exit of Ianis Hagi, there could be another area that Gerrard needs to look into before the start of the Scottish Premiership.

It has been a huge summer for the Koln midfielder, who has been involved in Germany under-21s success at the youth European Championships.

McLeish clearly wants reniforcements in the heart of the Bears side, and given our recent injuries, it could be a very smart move.

In other Rangers news, ‘Terrific’ – Chris Sutton thrilled by one Ibrox star, rates him 8/10 over past season

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Chris Sutton has been left thrilled by Rangers star Borna Barisic in the Scottish Premiership.

The Croatian left-back is set to feature at the EUROs this summer, with games against England and Scotland in the next week.

Barisic could have a huge say on whether his country progresses in the tournaments, with his set-pieces a real weapon – something Sutton also pointed out.

Writing in his Daily Mail column, Sutton rated Barisic’s efforts as an 8/10 over the past invincible season.

“Hugely improved defensively under Steven Gerrard at Rangers,” he wrote.

“Terrific delivery when he gets into the final third and dangerous from set-pieces.”

Real threat.

Barisic has suffered some unfortunate injuries over the past couple of months, finishing our season on the sidelines.

The Croatian could have struggled to recover, with his performances taking some serious criticism after last only 45 minutes against Belgium.

With huge tasks against the likes of England coming up this weekend, this could be a real test for him to prove he could cut it in the Premier League.

Barisic is one of those players, similar to Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos who will clearly attract interest over the summer.

Some big performances, with goal involvements throughout, could make the left-back a player that some clubs find hard to look past.

We hope not, but we also cross our fingers that our own can shine on the biggest stage (just not against Scotland), bring it on.

In other Rangers news, ‘Exceptional’ – Barry Ferguson blown away by rarely seen ‘top-class’ Bears ace at Ibrox this season

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Barry Ferguson has been blown away by Rangers goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin this season, despite his lack of action.

Allan McGregor has been the mainstay number one at Ibrox for some years, and will continue into next season after signing his new deal.

McLaughlin has only been used sparingly in all competitions, making only nine appearances in the Scottish Premiership.

Writing in his Daily Record column predicting what the Scotland starting XI will look like against the Czech Republic, Ferguson waxed lyrical over McLaughlin.

“Look at the goalkeeping department where we have three absolutely top-class keepers,” he wrote.

“Believe me, Jon McLaughlin is top drawer and was exceptional whenever he played for Rangers this season.

“But Steve will probably choose between David Marshall and Craig Gordon.”

Crazy.

It seems crazy that after the year we have had in Scotland, that there is likely to be zero Bears representation in the first starting XI.

Ryan Jack stood an excellent chance if he wasn’t injured, and it appears as though McLaughlin and Nathan Patterson will be on the bench.

Ferguson found no room for the right-back either, insisting that it will be Stephen O’Donnell starting down that side of the pitch.

McLaughlin did only concede three goals in his nine appearances, keeping seven clean sheets along the way, more than some manager across a full campaign.

The 33-year-old has been perfect for Steven Gerrard since arriving, and it would be brilliant to see him handed at least one start by Steve Clarke, we cross our fingers.

In other Rangers news, Tam McManus reacts as new Bears development is confirmed by one player this week

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