Rangers are reported to have stepped up their interest in defender Luke Graham, a player who has also been loosely linked with Celtic in recent days.
Graham’s name has been circulating after a strong season with Dundee, but while Celtic are understood to be monitoring his progress, no formal move has been made. Keeping tabs on a player does not always translate into concrete interest, and at this stage there is nothing to suggest Celtic have advanced beyond background checks.
According to SunSport, it is the Ibrox side who have moved more decisively. The report claims Rangers technical director Dan Purdy attended Dundee’s match at Dens Park on Saturday to personally assess the 22-year-old centre-back.
Graham has been one of Dundee’s most consistent performers this season, making a seamless step up to Premiership level after impressing on loan with Falkirk last year. Strong in the air, composed on the ball and comfortable with the physical side of the game, he has quickly established himself as a regular under Steven Pressley.
Rangers’ interest makes sense given their situation at the back. On-loan defender Nasser Djiga is due to return to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of the season, while uncertainty remains around John Souttar and his contract. Defensive reinforcements are clearly on the agenda.
Celtic, meanwhile, also face decisions in central defence. Cameron Carter-Vickers is ruled out until the end of the season, while Auston Trusty has looked unconvincing in recent weeks despite standout displays earlier in the campaign. Benjamin Arthur, signed on loan on deadline day, is yet to make an appearance, and there is a feeling within the support that others in the position can still be upgraded.
Even so, any move by Celtic for a player like Graham may depend on clarity in the dugout first. The January window showed a clear preference for short-term loans rather than permanent commitments, largely due to uncertainty over the next manager.
With Rangers now seemingly moving first, Luke Graham’s future is shaping up as one to watch. Whether Celtic decide to firm up their interest, or allow a domestic rival a clear run, may say as much about their wider planning as it does about the player himself.
