Killie talent earns McInnes 'right move' verdict as Rangers try to avoid repeat of £350k flop
03/12/2025 04:30 AM
Rangers have made it quite clear that they are going to be exploring the Scottish Premiership market much more often in the coming transfer windows.
Nils Koppen has pledged that Rangers will target one Scottish talent per season as they look to snap up bright young talent, meet UEFA registration rules and retain an Ibrox identity.
Rangers' reluctance to pounce on homegrown heroes saw the likes of Josh Doig and Lewis Ferguson slip through their fingers and into the Serie A in recent seasons.
There was no such issue pipping the Italians to Connor Barron, whilst Lyall Cameron will join Rangers at the end of his Dundee contract in the summer as the club make good on their promise.
But another top youngster who is making a big impression in the Scottish Premiership this season has been warned off making the jump too soon.
Derek McInnes breaks Bobby Wales contract silence
Bobby Wales might only be 19-years-old but the Scotland youth international is now an important member of Kilmarnock's matchday squad.
Wales has netted five goals for Killie this season in an impressive breakthrough campaign for the former Alloa loanee at Rugby Park.
Amongst them includes an excellent low volley into the bottom corner during a recent 3-2 Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle.
The striker also netted Kilmarnock's goal in the 2-1 Scottish Cup defeat to Celtic earlier in the season.
With Wales out of contract at the end of the season, the teenager's performances are predictably raising questions about his future.
But Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes has urged Bobby Wales to renew his contract and to continue making positive steps at Rugby Park.
"For me, I firmly believe that Bobby being here longer will be the right move for him," explains McInnes.
"Ideally, I have my Killie head on here and I want Bobby to be here for our club and for our cause, but I actually think it'd be really good for him and I'd be devastated if Bobby was to leave knowing that if he performs well with us, I'd be sure he can get into the international set up, I've no doubt about it."
The comments come after Scotland manager Steve Clarke called up Premiership pair James Wilson (Hearts) and Lennon Miller (Motherwell) for the first time.
They'll join Rangers duo John Souttar and Liam Kelly in the squad whilst Steve Clarke was disappointed not to select Connor Barron this time round.
McInnes believes that the progress of Wilson and Miller can serve as encouragement to Kilmarnock's teenage striker: "For Bobby, I think if he looks at someone like James Wilson getting called up, someone who's young and playing and scoring in the premier league, as is Bobby, you know, different types of players but similar types of pathways in terms of their development, so I think it should give them all encouragement."
Rangers must 'look' to avoid £350k repeat of 2019 transfer
Bobby Wales is a skilful and direct forward who can play across the front three with the teenage forward possessing pace and power to burn.
Derek McInnes also recently praised Wales for his 'calmness, quality and composure' after the striker found the back of the net in December's draw with Dundee.
This excellent analysis video from coaching hopeful Dougie Anderson highlights the attacker's qualities with Wales' 'fantastic' dribbling and impressive first touch real features of his game.
It's not just supporters, coaches or Derek McInnes who've been noticing Bobby Wales' progress this season either.
Ex-Rangers defender Alan Hutton told Premier Sports that there will be 'plenty of teams sniffing about' Wales with former Hibs centre-back Marvin Bartley in firm agreement.
The comments came amid rumours linking Wales with a move to English Championship side Hull City.
Whilst Rangers haven't been directly linked to the teenage striker, Open Goal host Si Ferry reckons Rangers and Celtic will 'looking at' Wales ahead of the summer.
Given Wales came through at Kilmarnock, Rangers would have to pay a development fee for the attacker similar to the some £650k Rangers paid Aberdeen for Connor Barron.
But should Rangers make a move for Wales, they'll be hoping the young striker has a bigger impact than the last former Alloa loanee the club signed from a team of Premiership rivals.
Jake Hastie burst onto the scene at Motherwell in 2021 after spending six months on loan at Alloa but struggled to settle at Ibrox.
Rangers paid £350k to sign Hastie in 2019 (Daily Record) but the attacker made only two appearances for the club and, after spending the bulk of his Ibrox career out on loan, left the Gers in 2022.
After stints with Hartlepool United and Hamilton Academical, Hastie finds himself at Ayr United in the Scottish Championship.
