Keanu Baccus might not be the glamorous name that Rangers fans were expecting to kick start Philippe Clement’s summer rebuild.
The Australian international, 24, is out of contract in the summer and was linked with a move to Rangers by the Scottish Sun after starring for the Socceroos at the World Cup in Qatar.
Regarded as one of the top performers outside of the Old Firm this season, the performances of Keanu Baccus have helped St Mirren secure European football for the first time since 1987.
But despite the midfielder’s exploits, Baccus has just confirmed that he’ll be leaving Paisley this summer, before dropping a big clue as to the direction he is headed.
Baccus: St Mirren move was a ‘dream’
In quotes carried by the Herald, Keanu Baccus confirms that he will be leaving St Mirren this summer.
It means the midfielder’s two year stint in Paisley will come to an end after Baccus joined the Premiership club from A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers.
The news will represent a big blow to Steve Robinson and Baccus has paid tribute to the Saints following a successful 24 months at the club.
“It’s most likely my last game for the club as I’ll be moving on,” said Baccus following the 3-2 end of season defeat to Celtic.
“We’ll see in the next week or so – I’m still keeping my cards close to my chest a little bit.
“But coming to St Mirren has been nothing short of a dream come true. From being a young boy, I’ve always wanted to play professional football. I did that at my home town and then managed to get some sniffs to go overseas.
“I chose to come to St Mirren and I couldn’t have asked for a better place. The staff, the players in the changing room and the fans have all been outstanding.
“I then got to go to a World Cup, getting into the top six in the Premiership twice. And I go out with the team getting into Europe. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of boys to work with.
“It’s been a tough decision to make. I had a sniff last year and it didn’t quite work out but I believe everything happens for a reason. I came back to work hard for the club and do my best to better what we did last year.
“If I am away then I wish all the boys and all the staff all the best for their European journey and the next season. I’ll always watch out for their results and will still feel part of it a bit.
“I still follow my hometown team in Sydney and look out for them, but I’ll be following St Mirren even closer because I was part of the journey getting the club back into Europe.
“Honestly, I wish them all the best.”
Rangers not a likely destination for midfielder?
Keanu Baccus – who saw a move to Bolton Wanderers collapse last summer – has also been discussing his next move.
Claiming that the target has always been to play in England, the comments suggest that it’ll be a switch south of the border and not across Glasgow’s southside to Ibrox the midfielder makes this summer.
The Aussie international, who was actually born in Durban, South Africa, has big ambitions in the game and once again hailed St Mirren for helping with his development over the last two seasons.
It’s also not the first time the midfielder has spoken about one day reaching the Premier League.
“My dream has always been to play in England, and I’ve made that clear over the last 12 months or so,” said Baccus.
“I don’t want to leave the UK – I want to stay here – and do my best in the next place I go. God willing, there will be another World Cup for me too.
“But my dream has always been to play in the Premier League and you need good people to push you. And everyone at St Mirren have done that.
“I couldn’t be more thankful to the boys the gaffer, the backroom staff and the fans. I made a big sacrifice to come to Scotland, leaving behind family and friends back home. It’s been a great thing for them to watch from afar.”
Keanu Baccus made 36 appearances in all competitions for St Mirren this season, scoring two goals and laying on two assists.
