According to a recent report from the Daily Record, Rangers are set to go head-to-head with Celtic for the signature of Stoke City’s young talent Tyrese Campbell.
The Light Blues are reportedly ready to step up their interest in the England youngster and are aiming to beat their rivals in the race for the coveted centre-forward.
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With Jermain Defoe slowly but surely getting on, Rangers do need to look to the future and sign someone who can rival Alfredo Morelos for a starting berth.
And with the youngster finding it hard to get regular football at Stoke, as evidenced by last season’s loan spell at Shrewsbury Town, a move to Scotland could be on the cards, as the same source claims.
This is emphasised even more by the fact that his contract is due to expire in the coming summer, which could make him an attainable target.
But who exactly is the kid and what have those who know him best said about him?
Let’s find out…
Mark Hughes, former Stoke City manager
Hughes worked with Campbell in the past when he was in charge at the club.
Of course, he left in 2017/18 but he was still there to witness the potential that the young centre-forward was showing.
When talking about him on one occasion, the Welsh manager praised his instinct and tipped him to become a big player in the future.
Here’s what he said, as quoted by Stoke Sentinel:
“He has got a striker’s instinct. He’s got a lot of attributes. He’s only a young kid at the moment and he’s got a lot of development, both physically – even though he is a big specimen as we stand, with a lot of power of pace – and add a little bit of know-how and understanding of the game.
“If he can do that the next couple of years are going to be big for him, I feel.”
Gareth Jennings, Stoke City’s Academy director
Jennings was coaching the now 20-year-old striker back when he was in the youth ranks and even then the youngster was showing plenty of talent.
But some of his main attributes are definitely pace and power, as the academy director explains.
Here’s what he said in full, as quoted by Stoke Sentinel:
“In terms of a modern-day centre-forward, he’s got pace and power. He needs a bit of encouragement to run in behind and use it correctly but that’s part of his development plan.
“He’s also someone who scores a range of different goals. You don’t see the same goal all the time from Tyrese. He scores with his head, he scores from inside the box, from outside the box… he’s very comfortable at hitting the target, that’s his main attribute.
“He is also a really nice lad, great to have around the place and he’s desperate to be a professional footballer. He’s got that work ethic we look for in a young player.”
Michael O’Neill, current Stoke City manager
O’Neill is Campbell’s current gaffer and he has the privilege to be coaching the young talent now.
After the 20-year-old’s brace that helped Stoke secure a vital 5-2 win over Huddersfield earlier this month, the coach was full of praise for his young striker after he thrived in a new-look role on the right-wing.
Here’s what he said, as quoted by Stoke Sentinel:
“Ty was excellent. It’s not maybe his natural position (on the right), but I feel he can play in any of the front positions.
“He gives you a goal threat, which he showed today, but also good running power and strength and he was always a handful.
“I’m delighted for him because he’s one of the younger players and we’ve struggled to see some of the younger players with loan players and different people to evaluate over a short period of time.”
Verdict
It seems that Campbell has impressed those with whom he has worked alongside during his development.
If Rangers truly are looking for a young, up and coming striker to bolster their forward line and add some much-needed depth, they should look no further than the 20-year-old forward.
