Rangers and Celtic scouts were in attendance as Carlisle drew 1-1 with Morecambe at the weekend, according to the Daily Record. The Scottish publication reports that the Old Firm rivals were there to watch centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.

The 17-year-old has been linked with moves to Arsenal, Manchester City and Leicester as well as clubs north of the border, and speaking about the teenager’s future, Carlisle manager Chris Beech indicated a January departure is on the cards:

“The speculation is a challenge for him. I don’t think it’s my job to talk about how hard it will be to keep him – I think it’s the clubs. They’ve got to do what’s best for everybody and everything. We’ll have to wait and see what happens. It’s very difficult for him to deal with that as a player.”

Branthwaite is reportedly valued at a hefty £1m, which may put off the likes of Rangers from making an offer for the defender. The centre-half only made his senior debut earlier this season, coming against Blackpool in the EFL Trophy back in October.

Since then, the youngster has gone on to make eight further first-team appearances. With the Gers already having four recognised centre-backs in the squad, a move for Branthwaite is probably not at the top of the club’s agenda, but sporting director Ross Wilson is likely targeting young players for the future.