Zak Vyner and the extra Rangers trait he offers as ingenious Derek McInnes ploy pays off big time

He was a fans’ favourite at Aberdeen and now Zak Vyner is reportedly on Rangers' radar for a summer transfer.

The Bristol City defender enjoyed a rousing six-month stay in the Granite City, although his season-long stint was cut short in December 2019 due to injury and didn't play again until the resumption of the Covid-hit season the following summer. The 26-year-old specialises as both a right-back and central defender, however, Derek McInnes' was forced into outside-the-box thinking ahead of a game against Motherwell three seasons ago. His regular midfielders were fighting for space on the treatment table and it led to an unlikely chance in the engine room.

And the result? A man-of-the-match performance plus a goal in a dominant 3-0 win for Aberdeen as he earned praise from his boss. Vyner used that star showing against the Steelmen to enhance his standing which has helped him become one of City's key men and his suitor list is growing with one year remaining on his deal at Ashton Gate. And with Michael Beale on the chase for new arrivals it could open a new opportunity for the man from Bath.

Speaking in October 2019, he said: “The manager (McInnes) has said to me for a couple of weeks he thinks I could do a job (in midfield) and I think I’m capable of it. So when he gave me the chance in training during the week I jumped at it and I enjoyed it. It’s different from right-back or centre-half and you have to remember there are people chasing you from behind but I think I did well. We’ve had a lot of injuries, good players who will come back in.

"But as long as I perform like that, I’m happy and will keep going. I played in the academy and reserves in midfield but not in any senior games. It was new for Greg (Leigh)