Why KonstantinosTsimikas would be a smashing signing for Rangers
According to claims from Turkish media outlet Fotomac, as relayed by The Scottish Sun, Rangers have been linked with a move for Olympiacos left-back Konstantinos Tsimikas, who has impressed in the Champions League this season.
Rangers aren’t the only club to have been credited with an interest in the 23-year-old defender, whose existing deal at Olympiacos runs until the summer of 2023.
Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are keen on securing his services while several other clubs including Fiorentina, Nice, Rennes and Werder Bremen are also keeping close tabs on his displays (Fotomac h/t The Scottish Sun).
Tsimikas, who has already bagged 3 assists in 19 appearances across all competitions for Pedro Martins’ side this term, is rated at £3million by the Greek heavyweights.
Having completed his footballing education at Panserraikos, Konstantinos Tsimikas joined Olympiacos in 2014 and made his first-team debut during the 2015-16 campaign. He had to go through loan spells at Esbjerg in Denmark and Willem II in the Dutch Eredivisie before establishing himself as a regular fixture for the Greek giants.
The 23-year-old, who has been capped by Greece on three occasions at the senior international level, has accumulated 59 appearances for Olympiacos in all competitions till date, registering eight assists in the process.
Tsimikas made a big impression in the UEFA Europa League last season and he has made the step up to the Champions League this term, with his most recent involvement in the competition coming against Tottenham last week.
As per whoscored, Tsimikas has averaged an impressive 3.2 tackles, 2.2 interceptions, 3.8 clearances, 1 key pass, 1.6 dribbles, 2.4 fouls drawn, 1.4 crosses and 2.8 long balls per game in the Champions League this term.
Tsimikas is a talented player in the right age bracket for Rangers and the Ibrox giants should not hesitate to complete a move for the Greek international.
The Gers let a two-goal lead slip at the Pittodrie Stadium on Wednesday night and lost valuable ground in the title race to Celtic, who went two points clear of their arch-rivals atop the standings.
Steven Gerrard roped in as many as 11 new players back in the summer window but with the title race delicately poised, he must look for reinforcements.
The lack of depth in both full-back positions continues to be a nagging issue for Gerrard. Notwithstanding the fact that Borna Barisic has been quite brilliant this season, bringing in Tsimikas would go a long way towards increasing competition for places.
Former Liverpool academy graduate Jon Flanagan will be out of contract at Ibrox in 2020 but he has proven to be a key squad player for Gerrard.
However, he is yet to earn himself a new deal and his patchy injury record over the years mean that his fitness cannot always be trusted.
Extending Flanagan’s stay beyond 2020 won’t necessarily be a bad idea but someone like Tsimikas, who has been working wonders for Olympiacos in the Champions League, looks like a substantial upgrade on the Englishman. Andy Halliday can play at left-back but he is a stop-gap at best.
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Verdict
With that in mind, Konstantinos Tsimikas is a fine full-back with loads of potential and a move to Ibrox in January would work out well for all parties.