24 May 2008

RANGERS will have to be prepared to pay "big money" to persuade Watford to part with hulking centre-back Danny Shittu, according to the Championship club's coach Malky Mackay.
However, the former Celtic defender, who will this afternoon feature in the Phil O'Donnell tribute game for his old club in front of a 60,000 crowd also enticed by Henrik Larsson donning the hoops again, believe the 27-year-old Nigerian would be a perfect fit for the Ibrox club.

"He's under contract and it would be a big money signing," Mackay said.

"As far as how much, God knows. Whether the club would want to sell him or not I don't know but everyone has their price.

"He's a big strong aggressive lad and playing for his country regularly now. Shittu scored a lot of goals for us this year, many of them from set pieces, and is probably one of the finest headers of a ball I've seen. He is learning the game all the time, is powerful and probably ideal for Scottish football.

"If you saw him in the flesh you would not believe the size of the man. He's huge. I'd say he's even wider than Bobo Balde. He's wide as the Clyde." Source - Scotsman

07 July 2008

Watford defender Dan Shittu will leave before the start of the season as the Vicarage Road club seek to trim their wage bill.

He could join newly-promoted Hull or Scottish giants Rangers or Celtic.

However Watford chairman Graham Simpson insists Shittu is not for sale despite concerns over the club's financial position.

The 27-year-old defender has impressed since his arrival from QPR in 2006 and is set to return for pre-season training with the rest of the squad tomorrow.

No firm offers have been tabled for Shittu yet and Simpson has denied that bids would be welcomed.

'We have had inquiries from Premier League clubs but no offers for Danny,' Simpson told BBC Sport. 'Danny is still with us and that's the way it is staying.'

However coach Malky Mackay previously admitted: "He is under contract and would be a big-money signing. Whether the club wants to sell, I don't know, but every player has his price." Source - Daily Mail

11 July 2008

DANNY Shittu is poised to sign for Rangers after Watford opened talks with the Ibrox club over yesterday's increased £1.5million bid.

Vicarage Road chairman Graham Simpson, who claimed on Monday that Shittu would stay, appeared to give in yesterday afternoon after Rangers upped their earlier £1.2m offer.

The clubs are in final negotiations over the £1.5m price, with centre-back Shittu, 27, expected to agree personal terms over the weekend. Source - Scotsman