Birmingham City stance revealed as Rangers target ‘powerhouse’ defender for loan move

Rangers are reportedly interested in signing in-form defender Dion Sanderson on loan for the rest of the season to boost their Scottish Premiership title hopes. The Wolverhampton Wanderers defender, who is currently enjoying a successful loan spell with Birmingham City, has played 24 times in the Sky Bet Championship this season.

He has played a key role for John Eustace’s side as they have defended well throughout the campaign so far and were - until very recently - one of the very best in the division for goals conceded. Sanderson sat out Blues’ 3-1 home defeat to Middlesbrough on Monday and he was a huge miss as he has played 91% of the minutes available to him this term.

Scottish giants Rangers could do with some defensive reinforcement as centre back duo John Souttar and Filip Helander have both been sidelined for very long periods. Sanderson would add versatility as well as some much-needed depth, as the 23-year-old can play as a centre half or a right-back. He is also more than capable of adjusting to both a four-back and a three-back.

Sanderson could theoretically have his loan move ended early by parent club Wolves in favour of the defender spending the rest of the season in Scotland, but from Birmingham’s perspective this is not even being looked at as a possibility. “[Dion] is on loan with us until the end of the season, I haven’t been made aware of anything different,” Blues head coach, Eustace, said.

“He has signed to us until the end of the season and I am sure he will be here until then. He has been outstanding and a big miss [v Middlesbrough], you can see that. All [our loan players] seem very happy. No one has said anything different than myself. I can rely on them, they’ve been fantastic.

“They’re part of the family and you can see how committed they are to the football club. It’s a really good environment they’re working in and they’re in a good place. They’re all on loan for the season and then it’s whether the club they’re on loan from want to recall them. From my point of view, they’re here for as long as they’re allowed,” Eustace continued.

For now, Sanderson is focused on returning for Birmingham as soon as possible – perhaps for their next Championship fixture, against Bristol City on January 14. There is still plenty of time to go in the window, though, and with Sanderson at a level capable of competing for a place at Rangers, this could be one to keep an eye on.