Rangers confident of beating off English Premier League clubs to sign top defensive prospect

Rangers are reportedly confident that they have an advantage over English Premier League clubs in the race for Burnley sensation Jack McEvilly.

A report from Football Insider claims that the Glasgow giants have a firm interest in the left-sided centre-back, who is regarded as one of the top young prospects in England.

Both Rangers and Celtic are said to have made regular checks on the 16-year-old, registering their interest in striking a potential deal with the Clarets.

Scottish clubs have a big advantage over any English suitors as cross-border rules mean Scottish clubs only have to pay a maximum £300,000 compensation for out-of-contract players.

Premier League clubs in England could end up paying multi-million pound fees for top homegrown talent. Indeed, the Football Insider report adds that there is no cap on development costs and what they have to pay.

The young defender, who is the son of former English Football League striker Lee McEvilly, is also reportedly wanted by Newcastle, Man United Everton, Crystal Palace and Brighton.

Rangers to take advantage of cross-border rules

McEvilly has already featured for Burnley’s Under-21s side, despite his tender age, and Rangers are confident they can exploit the difference in rules north of the border to eventually snap up the starlet.

Recent Celtic academy products include 17-year-old Ben Doak, who has already made his senior Liverpool debut.

Other senior players, including Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston and Jack Hendry, also started their careers in the club’s youth setup.

As for Rangers, they are looking to add to their young talent pool that already includes Leon King, Adam Devine and Alex Lowry.

Indeed, the trio have already made the breakthrough into the Ibrox first-team set-up.

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