Gijs Smal offers Rangers transfer plan B as Josh Doig alternative brings assists and a nickname for the ages

Gjis Smal has been linked with a move to Rangers with the Twente Enschede left back out of contract in the summer.

Borna Barisic and Ridvan Yilmaz are the current options in Philippe Clement's squad for that position, but the Croat's deal is up at the end of the season and Yilmaz, who has struggled to establish himself at Ibrox, has ben touted as. makeweight in a potential deal to bring Scotland Under 21s captain Josh Doig to Govan.

Verona are thought to be interested in a cash plus player deal, which would see Yilmaz head in the opposite direction with former Hibs starlet Doig returning to the ~Scottish Premiership. As a plan B however, Rangers have been mentioned in the Netherlands as a possible destination for Twente's 26-year-old defender - nicknamed 'Smaldini' in his homeland for his similarities to legendary Italian full back Paolo Maldini. He has also been linked with Celtic.

Smal signed for Twente three years ago on a free transfer from Volendam and last season had more assists than anyone in the Eredivisie with ten - he was involved in 18 per cent of all Twente's league goals. But he seems certain to leave the Enschede club this summer, or this month if a club pays a fee for him.

Twente's technical director Arnold Bruggink said last month: "Of course we would very much like it if Gijs signed a new deal with us. But both parties have to want that. And we have to be realistic about that part of his future sadly."

Celtic were also linked with a move for Smal last month, but reports in the Netherlands have suggested Rangers are interested in the player, who was valued at £6 million last season.

He missed a chunk of the start of the season with a calf injury, but has returned and looks certain to see out his