Rangers-linked Scott McKenna was recalled to the Nottingham Forest squad for their FA Cup draw with League One Blackpool.
The Premier League side battled back from two goals down to spare their blushes in the match at the City Ground, the 2-2 draw forcing a replay at Bloomfield Road.
Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel had given Blackpool the lead in the 25th minute before Albie Morgan had the Seasiders in dreamland two minutes later.
Nicolas Dominguez pulled one back for Forest six minutes before half-time before Morgan Gibbs-White equalised ten minutes after the restart.
Scott McKenna returns to Nottingham Forest squad
Rangers-linked Scott McKenna – who has also been linked to Turkish side Trabzonspor – was an unused substitute in the match but returned to the Nottingham Forest squad for the first time since September.
With former Ibrox loanee Joe Worrall playing the full 90 minutes, it means both players have now returned to the Nottingham Forest fold after being banished earlier in the season.
Both Worrall and McKenna were forced to train away from the first-team under former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper back in early December.
But now Scott McKenna found himself out of the picture under new manager Nuno Espírito Santo, the defender not playing since the 1-1 draw with Burnley back in September.
Rangers linked to Premier League defender
Whilst McKenna never got off the bench against Blackpool, the Scotland international’s presence in the matchday squad will come as a huge boost to the former Aberdeen star.
Out of contract at the end of the season, there may well be signs of life in the centre-back’s Forest career yet as Rangers reportedly mull over a move.
With Old Firm rivals Celtic also said to have pulled out of the running, Rangers fans will be watching closely to see how the story progresses over the coming weeks.
New Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo admitted before the match that “no final decisions” had been taken on any player in the Forest squad.
That’s even if the Portuguese boss admitted the club are looking to “reduce” their bloated 33-man squad in the transfer window.
Striker Fabio Silva has already joined Rangers this month, leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers for a loan move to Glasgow.
Philippe Clement still wants further additions though and we are seeing a number of names being linked with joining this month.
Vitesse Arnhem talent Million Manhoef is one name on the radar with reports over New Year suggesting that a £2.5million move is in the pipeline.
Manhoef is inside the final 18 months of his Vitesse contract and Rangers may target a cut-price move, so let’s dig into the Dutchman’s career…
Million Manhoef, the story so far
Manhoef hails from Beemster, just north of Amsterdam, but started his career with Vitesse Arnhem.
The 22-year-old has a sporting influence in his family as his father is former mixed martial artist Melvin Manhoef.
Manhoef’s father was born in Suriname, meaning the Vitesse talent can switch international allegiance to Suriname if he so wishes.
There has been no indication of that happening just yet with Manhoef a prominent player in the Netherlands Under-21 side.
Manhoef has now racked up 84 first-team games for Vitesse, playing predominantly as a right winger whilst racking up 16 goals and 14 assists.
Million Manhoef, what they say
“I think that’s a real sensation this season. I didn’t think that boy would develop like that,” – Dutch reporter Arno Vermeulen.
“I really like these kinds of explosive, goal-oriented players. He has played back in the past. With his speed and explosiveness, there is room for improvement. I think many teams would like to have such a player,” – Former Dutch international Pierre van Hooijdonk.
“It is no secret that Million started as a winger in his youth. We have tried to convert him into a defender and the way he has adapted to the new role has been very interesting. In my opinion he has all the qualities to be a good fullback. Sometimes it seems like a free role and he is particularly good offensively. I am very satisfied with that,” – Former Vitesse boss Thomas Letsch after trying to turn Manhoef into a full back.
Million Manhoef to Rangers analysis
We would love to see Rangers add more speed and quality on the flanks with Manhoef fitting the bill.
A diminutive, quick and tricky winger with a real eye for goal, Manhoef predominantly plays on the right flank, cutting in on his left foot.
Rangers don’t really have a quality player with that profile and Manhoef has real untapped potential for the future too.
The arrival of Nils Koppen as director of football recruitment from PSV Eindhoven was bound to lead to rumours about Eredivisie talents joining Rangers.
Manhoef certainly fits the bill and if Rangers have a real chance to secure his signature, we would be hugely excited to see him arrive.
