Rangers are interested in signing Northampton left-back Ali Koiki, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The reporter likens the 22-year-old to Calvin Bassey and he believes the Gers may take a chance on the defender, who could well turn out to be another hidden gem:

“He has got similar qualities to Calvin Bassey. He is a powerful, attacking full-back who can get forward and supply goals and assists as well. Maybe Rangers have seen something in him and they think he’s got huge potential.”

Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst doesn’t exactly need another left-back at the moment, having already recruited Ridvan Yilmaz from Besiktas in the past few days.

Perhaps if Borna Barisic was offloaded this summer then a move for Koiki would be considered. He is definitely a talent, having helped Northampton to the League Two playoffs last season. However, the Englishman is pretty much untested in terms of playing at a higher level.

Koiki came through Burnley’s academy but he did not play a single first team game. He had a short loan spell at Swindon Town, who were in League One at the time, but he doesn’t have experience beyond the third tier. Like Bassey, it would be a stab in the dark if he were to be recruited by the Light Blues.