25 July 2008

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has revealed he may be willing to let Adam Johnson join Rangers on loan.

Rangers sent coach Ian Durrant and scout Ewen Chester to Portugal to watch 21-year-old winger Johnson against Celtic in the Algarve Cup, as well as Cardiff's Glenn Loovens.

Southgate told the Scottish Sun: "We have not had any contact yet from Rangers but Ian Durrant is out here in Faro so maybe we can have a chat over a beer."

He added: "There are about 12 Championship clubs interested in taking Adam on loan.

"He's a great prospect but he has Stewart Downing ahead of him, so we have to see how he gets on in pre-season and make a decision.

"Adam is only 21 but he's a very good footballer. The Championship would be good for him but we had Josh Walker at Aberdeen last season and that worked out well." Source - The Press Association

25 July 2008

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate says the club have had no approach from Rangers for Adam Johnson, but hinted he could loan out the highly-rated winger.

The Gers have held a long-term interest in the England Under-21 international and are believed to be keen to lure him to Ibrox.

Johnson is highly-regarded at The Riverside, but has seen his path into the first team blocked by the form of Stewart Downing.

Southgate admits there has been a lot of interest in Johnson and he is weighing up the possibility of loaning out the midfielder so that he can get some regular action.

"We haven't had any contact from Ibrox yet and there are about 12 Championship clubs interested in taking Adam on loan so we're not short of offers," Southgate told the Daily Record.

"He's a great prospect but Stewart Downing's ahead of him for us so we have to see how he gets on in pre-season.

"We need to work out whether to keep him here this season or if he needs a bit more experience. He's very young and still learning his trade.

"The Championship would be good for him but we had Josh Walker at Aberdeen last season and that worked out well." Source - Sporting Life