Ivan Toney: Rangers almost signed now-£35m rated Premier League striker

It’s well-known that now-Brentford striker Ivan Toney almost signed for Celtic – but the talented goalscorer has now confirmed he came close to signing for Rangers as well.

The forward was at the centre of an Old Firm transfer tug-of-war at the beginning of last season as he entered the final year of his contract with Peterborough United.

Brentford striker Toney claims he almost joined Rangers. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)

Infamously coming close to signing for Celtic, the Parkhead club wouldn’t loosen the purse strings beyond £5m and hilariously signed underperforming Albian Ajeti from West Ham for that fee instead.

Brentford would pounce in a deal which could eventually reach £10m [Sky Sports] but after firing the Bees to the Premier League – Toney netted 33 goals to fire his new club to promotion – that pales in significance to the fees now attached to the striker.

The Sun claim Toney, 25, is now worth £35m and after netting two goals in the Premier League so far, that figure may well rise.

But whilst there’s been plenty of jokes attached to Celtic’s pursuit of the striker, Rangers also missed on this potential jackpot and were in pursuit of Ivan Toney last season.

Ivan Toney tells Ally McCoist he almost signed for Rangers

Speaking to Ally McCoist on TalkSPORT, the ex-Ibrox manager and Rangers legend admitted he was glad Toney never signed for Celtic before the striker dropped the bombshell.

“The first thing I’ve got to say to you mate, you’ve got no idea as a Rangers supporter how happy I am you didn’t go to Celtic, I am absolutely thrilled about that,” said McCoist.

“Your form has been out of this world.

“Realistically, you must have dreams about playing international football?”

Toney replied: “Yeah of course. Well, like you said I was going to sign for Celtic but I was also going to sign for Rangers.”

McCoist responded: “I didn’t know that. Oh you’ve killed me! I didn’t know that, man.”

Toney was linked to Rangers during his time at Peterborough. (Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images)

Rangers instead opted to move for striker duo Kemar Roofe from Anderlecht and Cedric Itten from FC St Gallen for a combined £6m [Scottish Sun].

Both would play major roles in securing the Ibrox club’s first title in a decade but given Toney’s success, there will be more than a few bluenoses gutted about missing out on the forward.

Meanwhile, an international star who excelled at Euro 2020 has branded Rangers a “great club” after agreeing a deal at Ibrox.