Rangers-linked 16-goal winger fires current club to promotion at Wembley

Rangers-linked Morecambe winger Carlos Mendes Gomes showed he was the man for the big occasion as his extra-time penalty earned the Shrimps promotion at Wembley.

The English League Two club were facing off against Newport County in the League Two playoff final with the pacey forward scoring the only goal of a tense game in added-on time.

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The penalty itself was considered contentious after referee Bobby Madley judged Ryan Haynes had fouled John O’Sullivan.

This came after Newport had their own penalty shout turned down earlier in the match.

The result means that Morecombe will now play in English League One next season with promotion to the third tier securing at least £1.3m for the club [Express].

The Scottish Sun claimed in April that Rangers had made contact regarding ex-Atletico Madrid youth Mendes Gomes, 22, ahead of the new season.

Links have persisted in the press ever since and the player’s manager Derek Adams has even spoken out about reports concerning an exit from the Mazuma Stadium.

“It’s not beneficial for me, the club or Carlos to say what the situation is, but I’m very comfortable with it as I’ve said all along,” said Adams [the Visitor].

“Until there’s a bid put in for any of our players, speculation is all it is.

“It is a good thing to have though. If other clubs are being linked with your players, it means something positive must be happening.

“Carlos is a fantastic boy, you can tell that by his work ethic in training and in games.”

Rangers-linked Morecambe winger Carlos Mendes Gomes sends the Shrimps support into delirium with his 16th and most important goal of the season. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

If Rangers are interested in the Senegal-born forward they also could face plenty of competition for the pacey player.

A team of former Premier League winners have also been linked to the talented forward, who scored 16 goals in League Two this season.