Rangers beat Celtic to Bailey Rice transfer after youngster rejects pro terms at Motherwell

Bailey Rice has rejected pro terms at Motherwell to join Rangers for an undisclosed fee.

Celtic were also reported to be interested in the Fir Park youngster but it is the Light Blues who have won the race for his signature. Bailey will initially enter Cameron Campbell and Steven Smith’s Rangers Under-18s team in the Professional Development Phase at his new club.

Academy director Steven Hammell told Motherwell's website: “Although it’s disappointing to lose Bailey at this stage of his development, we respect his decision On the flip side though, we are absolutely delighted that so many of the group we had earmarked for graduation into our professional set-up have placed their trust in us and the pathway we think we can provide to first-team football.

"We have already seen so many of them train and integrate with the first-team squad in the first week of pre-season and that’s something that should not only give them all encouragement, but additional hunger and desire to kick on.”

A club statement added: "Academy midfielder Bailey Rice has rejected an offer of a professional contract and has joined Rangers for an undisclosed fee.

"The youngster was part of an exciting, and much-coveted, 2006 squad which has enjoyed notable success during their progression through the Club Academy Scotland age groups.

"Although a number of the players had significant interest from big clubs on both sides of the border, we were able to promote nine of the ten proposed graduates to full-time this summer.

"Everyone at Motherwell FC would like to thank Bailey for his effort and commitment during his time with the Academy and wish him every success in his future career."

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