09 July 2008

RANGERS could be attempting to unearth a new Rino Gattuso as they target Bologna teenager Jacopo Mantovani.

The Ibrox club are believed to be considering trying to exploit an Italian loophole that would allow the 17-year-old midfielder to leave for a fraction of what he is currently worth.

Walter Smith was the man who snatched the unknown Gattuso - who has since gone on to win the Champions League with AC Milan and the World Cup with Italy - at the age of 19 from Perugia and it seems Mantovani could switch to Scotland in a similar move.

Bologna have already lost 16-year-old Fabio Borini to Chelsea, and they now fear the Light Blues will attempt to snatch Mantovani.

Academy chief Giancarlo Marocchi said: "We know which sides follow our boys and there has been interest from one Scottish club about Mantovani.

"He is good, but we can't lock down all the promising youngsters. Unfortunately, with the rules here, we can't put all our promising kids on contracts to keep them away from foreign clubs. We have no weapons."

Source - EveningTimes