Rangers supporters may be blessed with an early sneak peak at one of their summer signings this weekend.
Though not if Derek McInnes can help it.
Kilmarnock travel to Ibrox on Sunday looking to do further damage to Rangers‘ Scottish Premiership title hopes. And they will bring with them a goalkeeper who has already been on the winning side against the Glasgow giants this season.
Will Denniskept a clean sheet as Killie stunned Mick Beale’s team on opening day. Do the same this weekend and not only will the Bournemouth loanee do a great deal of good to a reputation which has already been boosted substantially by a stellar spell north of the border, he will also go a long way to proving that a role at one of the Old Firm giants is something he could handle long-term.
According to the Daily Record, Rangers have watched Dennis closely during his time in Ayrshire, the young shot-stopper presumably catching the eye of the club’s scouts back in August. Celtic are interested too, with Joe Hart’s retirement imminent, though McInnes is certainly not going to give up on Dennis without a fight.
Rangers like Kilmarnock loanee Will Dennis
“I spoke with Bournemouth on Tuesday,” says the former Aberdeen boss, determined to welcome Denis back to Rugby Park for 2024/25. “They are over the moon with his loan. It could not have gone better for them.
“He’s a boy who has gone from playing in non-league with his first loan to playing in the Premiership. His stats are great and he has played a huge part. For somebody so young, he has done extremely well for us. He’s one of a few loan players I would love to keep.
“We need to prepare the best way we can for us and you cannot wait for someone forever. There might be another good option that comes up where we think; ‘We will take that rather than risk a maybe signing (one permanently)’.
“But Will has done well, as have all our loan signings.”
Jack Butland may need competition at Ibrox
With two years left on his Bournemouth contract, the Premier League high-flyers may be under no pressure to sell. But, after getting the taste for regular first-team football in Scotland, would Dennis be willing to return to England and compete with Mark Travers and the hugely experienced former Barcelona, Juventus and Valencia glovesman Neto?
Of course, a starting spot at Rangers may be somewhat fanciful too, with Player of the Year Jack Butland playing down speculation that he would look to leave in order to boost his hopes of a place back in the England squad (Scottish Sun).
There may be space at Ibrox for a new number two, however. Jon McLaughlin’s contract is expiring, while Robby McCrorie appears to be growing impatient on Philippe Clement’s bench.
