Come and get me: Utaka wants to be a Rangers player. Pic: © SNS Group
Nigerian international John Utaka has touted himself for a move to Rangers and says the Champions League would offer him the chance to redeem his reputation. Utaka is thought to be on his way out of Portsmouth as the cash-strapped club look to lower their wage bill.
Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune, Utaka said he had offers open to him and, though he did not confirm if Rangers had made an approach, spoke of his wish to play in the SPL.
“I have a couple of offers now and I would love to play for Rangers in the Scottish League because it will give me the opportunity to showcase my talent in the Champions League and you know that it is watched in the whole world,” Utaka said.
“It will give me the opportunity to show my detractors that I am not finished yet.
“Rangers is a good team that has won the title for the third time now (sic), and I would love to associate myself with them.’’
Utaka was thought to have been scouted by Rangers in early 2009 and was linked with a move to Celtic in January. Reports in England claimed the Nigerian was on an astronomical £80,000 a week wage but the player has claimed he is paid significantly less than half that sum. Regardless, the player’s club are keen to offload him even though he has a year left on his current deal.
Comfortable playing through the middle or as a wide player, Utaka moved to Europe in 2002 after a spell in the Middle East and proved a hit at both Lens and Rennes. Harry Redknapp paid £7 million to take him to Portsmouth in 2007 but the move has not been an unqualified success.
Despite the fact that Utaka has 12 months on his current deal, Pompey are unlikely to ask for a substantial fee for the player. It is not clear if Rangers have made any contact with the English club but Sunderland are thought to have expressed an interest and Utaka has stated there is more than one club monitoring his situation.
