Report: Celtic and Rangers showing interest in Leeds left-back Barry Douglas

By Will Butcher

The Lancashire Telegraph have claimed that both Celtic and Rangers are showing interest in Leeds United defender Barry Douglas. The Scottish left-back has already been confirmed as leaving Leeds this summer, when his contract expires on June 30. He has spent last season on loan at Blackburn.

Douglas, 31, is a well-liked figure at Leeds. While he has only played 44 games for the Whites since joining the club from Wolves in the summer of 2018, Douglas still left his mark at Elland Road. But he pretty-much ended his Leeds spell last summer, when he joined Championship side Blackburn.

He played 31 times for Tony Mowbray’s side and was expected to sign a permanent deal with the Lancashire outfit. However, Blackburn have not committed to anything and while they remain an option – he could return north. Born in Glasgow, the left-back is said to have Old Firm interest.

Which club needs Douglas most – Celtic or Rangers?

While he is 31, Douglas on a free is still a good bit of business. The left-back is a set-piece specialist, having a hand in 20 goals during the 2017-18 season with Wolves. Rangers have a very similar-style left-back in Borna Barisic, who would remain first choice even with the signing of Douglas.

The boyhood Rangers fan could be targeted by Rangers as cover – but surely Douglas would have to put childhood allegiances aside and join Celtic. The Hoops have lost Diego Laxalt, leaving them with just Greg Taylor. Both clubs could do with him, but Celtic is his best move.