Recent Derby County transfer target Charlie Lindsay will depart the Rangers Academy set-up after news that his contract wouldn’t be renewed was announced via the Rangers club website today.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder had impressed for Rangers B this season in the Lowland League, scoring 12 goals and assisting six in 33 appearances.
Lindsay capped off an impressive individual campaign in Rangers B blue with three goals in his final three appearances for the club, netting on the final day versus Caledonian Braves to help his side win 2-0.
This had led to the Northern Irish youngster being touted for a move to the likes of Sunderland in the Championship, alongside being linked with a transfer to Pride Park to link up with Paul Warne’s Rams in the division below.
Who Is Charlie Lindsay?
Before being released by the Rangers Academy, Lindsay had been in the Gers set-up ever since joining from Glentoran as a teenager.
His career trajectory had seen him advance throughout various age brackets at the Glasgow giants, playing in both the U18 and U19’s teams before becoming a star in the Rangers B fold.
Lindsay has also won various caps for Northern Ireland at youth level, the attacking midfielder highly thought of even if his career is just in its infancy.
Despite this promise – and the impactful campaign the 19-year-old has just had for Rangers B – Lindsay’s future now lies elsewhere with plenty of EFL clubs now interested in the young midfielder’s services this summer.
A Potential Move To Derby County?
Just one of a host of clubs circling for Lindsay is Derby County, Paul Warne’s Rams in the market for new and exciting talent to freshen up their squad for another League One promotion push next campaign.
Lindsay might well also fancy a move to the Rams over joining Sunderland due to Derby staying in the third tier, the Northern Irish midfielder could well feel he’s more accustomed to making the step-up to that level of the EFL before pushing himself further to be Championship quality.
Derby will also look to Lindsay as a valid option to sign as the Rams did have an ageing squad last season, with the likes of veteran defender Curtis Davies already leaving the club.
On the contrary, Derby are also known for giving young talent a go – the likes of Eiran Cashin, Max Bird and Louie Sibley all benefitting from first-team football recently at Pride Park, with Cashin only 21 years of age.
Lindsay, if he was to put pen on a paper for a move to Pride Park, could therefore learn from the ageing members of the squad whilst also knowing that his youthful flair and raw talent could well mean he’s given minutes in the first team set-up along the way.
Writer’s View
After making his way through the various youth brackets at Rangers, Lindsay might be disappointed that he wasn’t kept on to prove himself in the first team at Ibrox under Michael Beale.
Reading into the statement released by Rangers confirming Lindsay’s departure amongst numerous others exiting the Academy, it’s great to see that there’s help in place for those now wondering what their next step is.
Still, if these rumours are anything to go by, Lindsay won’t be without a club for long.
Derby fans will hope that they can sign Lindsay on a free transfer and that he can blossom into a brilliant talent for the Rams over the next few years to come.
