Dion Sanderson is a name many Rangers fans might only be familiar with through routine transfer reports.
The ex-Wolves youth, 24 was strongly linked with a move to Rangers under the management of Michael Beale in last summer’s transfer window.
Rangers instead opted to stick with what they had in Connor Goldson, Ben Davies, and John Souttar, before re-signing Leon Balogun on a free transfer.
But those links to Dion Sanderson have since reappeared heading into the summer window, one year on from when the centre-back secured a permanent move to Birmingham City.
And following the completion of the English Championship over the weekend, Rangers might just have been handed a boost in any transfer pursuit.
Sanderson relegated in Blues twist of fate
Reports earlier in the week signposted Dion Sanderson as a ‘person of interest’ to the Rangers recruitment team heading into the summer window.
That’s despite the fact Birmingham City paid a reported £2m to sign the defender from Wolves on a permanent deal following a year-long loan stint at St Andrews.
But things haven’t quite turned out as planned with Birmingham and their new captain this season.
And it all stems from the sacking of once Rangers-linked manager John Eustace.
Despite the one-time Rangers midfield trialist hauling the Blues into the top half of the English second tier, he was sacked back in October.
The move preceded the appointment of England legend Wayne Rooney, who was himself eventually panned and replaced by Tony Mowbray as Birmingham headed for a shock demotion.
Miraculously, the man Rooney replaced in John Eustace had a huge role to play in the relegation, Blackburn Rovers’ last day 2-0 victory over champions Leicester City helping to consign Birmingham to a 21st place finish.
Birmingham and Dion Sanderson were relegated despite beating promotion hopefuls Norwich City 1-0 on the final day of the campaign.
The now League One club have not been helped by a medical problem sustained by Mowbray which has left Gary Rowett in interim charge.
Rangers assess defensive transfer options
Rangers are expected to be busy in the transfer window this summer.
Defence is an area which has been signposted for potential investment, with Connor Goldson regressing, Leon Balogun out of contract, and Ben Davies failing to make the impact we hoped he would.
Dion Sanderson would cost Rangers a transfer fee but given the player’s relegation, it certainly puts the Ibrox club in better position should they genuinely hope to launch a move.
A versatile defensive option who can play in a number of positions across the backline, any move for Dion may also soften the blow of two potential high-profile Rangers exits.
