According to The Herald, Rangers are monitoring CSKA Sofia star Kristyan Malinov ahead of the summer transfer window.
Malinov, 26, came through the ranks of Litex Lovetch in his homeland and was sent on loan to Dobrudzha Dobrich to improve himself. He then returned to Lovetch and became an integral member of the club for years, making 53 appearances, scoring 5 goals and providing 6 assists.
In the summer of 2016, he was signed by CSKA Sofia on a free transfer. Since then, he has established himself as a key member of the squad and has impressed in the Bulgarian top-flight.
He has gone on to make 113 appearances for the club, whilst also featuring in 15 games for his country. His impressive performances have also attracted the attention of Belgian giants Standard Liege, as per the report. Thus, Rangers should make a swift move for him in the summer.
The Gers haven’t enjoyed success in a long time despite having a good squad. They have failed to lift a trophy once again this season. The Scottish giants have fallen to the dominance of their rivals Celtic.
Despite starting the season on a bright note, the Gers failed to carry the momentum forward and were left a long way behind the Hoops. They fell 13 points short of the title as Celtic lifted the league title for the 9th time in a row.
However, with the season having ended abruptly due to the pandemic, the manager should now shift his focus towards the next campaign and must do everything to stop their rivals from a 10th consecutive title.
Thus, for that to happen, Rangers need to strengthen their squad with reinforcements. Though they have made some good signings in Calvin Bassey, John Mclaughlin and Ianis Hagi, they need to add depth in the midfield.
Despite having a plethora of midfield talents in their ranks, Gerrard’s side don’t have adequate options in the defensive midfield role. With Andy Halliday having already exited the club last month, Glenn Kamara is the only option available at the manager’s disposal. Thus, a defensive midfielder is a must in the summer.
In that regard, signing Malinov would add depth to the squad. The Bulgarian has been consistent in the last few years. This season, he has featured in 40 games for CSKA Sofia, scoring 5 goals and providing 3 assists across all competitions. His inclusion to Gerrard’s squad could bring in healthy competition for Kamara and this could be helpful for the club moving forward.
In Malinov, Rangers could have a utility player in a variety of midfield roles. Thus, he could be a valuable asset to the club. He is just 26 and still has a lot more to offer at a high level and can develop himself under the guidance of Gerrard. Hence, they should bring the Bulgarian to Ibrox this summer.
