Aston Villa have released fullback Alan Hutton on a free transfer, according to reports in England.
The former Rangers defender helped the Villans gain promotion to the Premier League through the playoffs but manager Dean Smith has opted against retaining the veteran’s services.
Some have suggested that Hutton should return to Ibrox following his departure from Villa Park, but the majority of fans on Twitter seem to be against the move:
He’s about 40 now. We can do better and need younger.
— Colin (@55blueballoons) 2 June 2019
No chance past it
— Shicken (@Ramsay____) 1 June 2019
No thanks
— Graham Perry (@glebebear) 1 June 2019
Would’ve took him for a season if we were desperate for RB cover, but we’ve got Tav, Flanagan and Polster. Ryan Jack has even played there before if we’re really struggling
— Linlithgow Loyal RSC (@LLNSRSC) 1 June 2019
We want young players not old men coming back to rangers
— irene (@blair_irene) 1 June 2019
No chance!
— T (@irnbrusnowman1) 1 June 2019
Replace the captain with an injury prone 34 year old? No offense mate, but no thanks
— Scottie (@BuffaloBlueBear) 1 June 2019
— Steven (@Steven_duff) 1 June 2019
Not the worst…as in Hutton is a better option than me…
— Andy (@mcgrillen) 2 June 2019
Noooooooooooooooooooo
— Cosmic Dust (@ScottishChrisB) 2 June 2019
We need to aim for the best option and Hutton is a million miles away from that.
— Rangers Loyal (@RangersLoyal_) 1 June 2019
Hutton came through the academy at Rangers but moved to Tottenham in 2008 for a fee of £9m.
At 34 years of age, the right-back is certainly in the twilight of his career, and with both James Tavernier and Jon Flanagan able to play in that position, it seems unlikely that Gers manager Steven Gerrard would make the former Scottish international a priority signing.
Even if Tavernier were to leave the club this summer, many supporters would prefer the club seek a younger replacement.