Rangers stand firm on Silas Andersen as move reaches medical stage

Rangers appear justified in their decision not to push ahead with a move for Silas Andersen, with the Danish midfielder now closing in on a transfer elsewhere.

The 21-year-old has long been linked with a switch to Ibrox, but despite ongoing speculation, Rangers ultimately stopped short of formalising their interest when the opportunity to strike a deal arrived.

Instead, Andersen now looks set for a move to Portuguese giants Sporting, with reports suggesting a five-year contract has been agreed and a medical scheduled for June 6.

For Rangers, the development may ultimately reinforce the view that stepping away from negotiations was the correct call — particularly after details of the proposed transfer package emerged.

According to reports, Sporting are prepared to pay an initial fee of around £6.4 million to BK Häcken, with a further £2.5 million in add-ons potentially taking the total value close to £9 million.

Such a figure would have represented one of the most expensive transfers in Rangers’ history, second only to the fee paid for Tore André Flo in 2000.

Given Andersen’s limited top-level experience, Rangers’ reluctance to commit such a significant sum appears understandable.

The midfielder has largely built his reputation in Sweden and has only made a handful of appearances outside that environment, including two outings in the Netherlands, leaving question marks over whether the valuation represented genuine value for money.

That context also removes much of the criticism aimed at Rangers’ ownership group, including 49ers Enterprises and Andrew Cavenagh, for failing to complete the deal.

From a financial perspective, committing close to a club-record outlay on a player still developing may have proven too risky, particularly as Rangers continue to reshape their recruitment strategy.

The club are believed to be placing greater emphasis on players with experience of Scottish football or individuals who understand the demands of representing Rangers.

While exceptions could be made for elite-level talent, Andersen may not have been viewed internally as a player capable of justifying such a major investment.

Attention could now turn to alternative midfield targets, particularly within the Scottish Premiership market.

Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt has previously been linked and may represent a more practical option — not only due to cost but also because of his familiarity with the division and reduced adaptation period.

For now, Rangers’ choice to walk away from Andersen appears increasingly sensible as the club weigh value, experience and long-term squad planning ahead of a crucial summer rebuild.