The move has long been mooted and today the Scottish press is reporting that Dubliner Jon Daly is set to join Glasgow Rangers, the first high profile Republic of Ireland Catholic player to do so.
After a very productive spell at Tannadice, where he is currently captain, it seems that Dundee United striker Jon Daly is set to drop down from the Scottish Premier League to the Scottish Second Division with the Old Firm giants.
It’s is not a big surprise that Daly has made the move in some senses as he will be set to get a big wage increase, despite the lower level of football, and at 30, it would surely be the best-paid job of his career.
But the fact that an Irish player could be playing for Rangers is, sadly, still news in Scottish football. Rangers have had Catholic players before but Daly would be the first well known player from the Republic of Ireland to play for Celtic’s arch rivals.
Back in March, Daly spoke to the Daily Record about the then proposed move.
“I was told about the historic aspect to this move, if it happens, and I was surprised.
“But it doesn’t bother me. I’ve spoken to my family about Rangers’ interest in me and there are no issues there for them to deal with so far as I’m concerned.
“Rangers have spoken to Dundee United and my agent has spoken to Ally [McCoist]. When I had my conversation with the manager it was purely about football and where he saw me playing.”
According to the Scottish Express, Daly, a Republic of Ireland underage international up to Under 21 level, will have a medical this week and, all going well, sign a contract at the weekend.
We really hope the move works out for Daly, and that any idiots who have an issue with this switch don’t do anything stupid.
UPDATE: An earlier version of this story indicated that Daly would be the first Irish Catholic to play for Rangers. Cork goalkeeper Alan Smith made his debut for the club last month, making him the first to actually play for the Scottish club.
