Derek McInnes reveals £9m striker Kevin Kelsy will likely be Rangers’ final summer addition
Rangers boss Derek McInnes has indicated that £9million striker Kevin Kelsy is likely to be the Ibrox club’s final signing before the closure of the transfer window.
The 22-year-old Venezuelan is close to completing his switch from MLS outfit Portland Timbers after McInnes opted to go back into the market following the cruciate ligament injury sustained by Youssef Chermiti last month.
A number of fans had also hoped for an attacking midfielder to be brought in before Thursday’s deadline, but the Rangers manager dropped a clear hint last night that there is no plan to secure anyone else other than Kelsy.
‘We’re still working hard to get one in at the minute,’ boss McInnes told Sky Sports. ‘We’re getting closer on that one, but we believe it’s only going to be the one in.
‘If we can get a striker in that helps alleviate the disappointment of Youssef’s injury, I think that would be pretty important for us.
‘I think the club have made the right improvements in certain areas and I think we’ve had a lot of good work done.
Portland Timbers striker Kevin Kelsy is likely to be Rangers’ final signing of the summer
Rangers boss Derek McInnes dies expect outgoings at Rangers before Thursday’s deadline
‘I’m saying one. You never know, it might be more than one, but if we can get the one in that we want, it certainly helps alleviate a problem we’ve got at the minute.’
Rangers are also looking to ship players out before Thursday’s deadline with former Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron heading for Dundee United and Nico Raskin, Ross McCausland, Bojan Miovski, John Souttar and Clinton Nsiala among others linked with moves away.
Raskin has sat out Rangers’ last two games, but McInnes insists there have been no viable offers.
‘Nico’s been first-class since he came back from the World Cup,’ he said. ‘He’s been good as gold.
‘Obviously there’s been a lot of chat about potential interest and there’s been a lot of conversations had with the club and prospective buyers, but, until an offer comes in that the club need to consider, Nico just has to knuckle down and train.’
Meanwhile, Falkirk attacker Finley Barbrook is eager to welcome McInnes and Co on league business this evening after starting against Celtic in the Bairns’ 2-1 Parkhead defeat on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, on loan from Ipswich, said: ‘Every player wants to play in those games. Being so young, that’s a great experience for me.
‘It’s such a great league and one that I’ve watched for quite a long time and admired. Everyone I spoke to said the culture’s amazing, everyone’s so passionate about football and I’d fit right in.’
