Derby County are interested in a talented midfielder who has experience playing in the Champions League for his club.
The start of the Championship campaign is just under three weeks away and Derby’s starting XI will be completely different to the one that closed out the League One season at home to Carlisle United.
Following their promotion to the second tier, Paul Warne released several of his first-team players, including midfielders Korey Smith and Conor Hourihane.
Warne has since prioritised adding midfielders to his squad, doing so successfully with the additions of Ben Osborn, Kenzo Goudmijn and Ebou Adams while the arrival of David Ozoh from Crystal Palace is imminent.
The Derby boss will have a blend of different options to choose from when naming his first starting XI of the season away at Blackburn Rovers, and he doesn’t plan on stopping there.
Derby County have shown interest in Rangers winger Scott Wright
Warne craves versatility in any squad he builds. It is why he was so desperate to add Osborn to his squad, who can play as a left-back, central midfielder or winger.
That trait of playing across multiple positions could have also drawn the Derby manager to Rangers’ Scott Wright, having played as an attacking midfielder or from the left or right-wing throughout his career.
As reported by journalist Darren Witcoop, Derby have enquired about the 26-year-old alongside Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End.
Witcoop believes England’s second tier is the ‘likely destination’ for Wright, who has spent four campaigns at Rangers following his move from Aberdeen in January 2021.
The 5-cap Scotland international has played a sporadic role during his time in Glasgow, tallying 117 appearances for the Gers with 12 goals and seven assists, while featuring in the Champions League on four occasions.
How Scott Wright would fit in at Derby County
During his time as manager of Rangers, Steven Gerrard summarized what type of player Wright is by dubbing him a ‘bright spark’ in 2021, telling Sky Sports: “Scott could have started today. I think his performances in pre-season have been outstanding.
“We’re working on him a lot in the final third in trying to get numbers into his game.
“I thought he came on today and he was a right bright spark. Full of energy, he sees a pass, he’s always looking forward and looking to penetrate.”
Predominantly a right winger, who can also play as an attacking midfielder or down the left, Wright exhumes energy, pace and is always looking to play forward.
The Scotsman may not have the most prolific record to his name, with Gerrard previously outlining the hope of getting numbers into his game, but he does make up for that with his aggressive and forward-thinking approach.
With Derby currently lacking options down the right flank, Warne needs a player to challenge the likes of Corey Blackett-Taylor, which is why Wright would be a decent option to fill that void.