Rangers-linked £3.5m winger suffers debut heartbreak after Gers moved elsewhere.

Rangers-linked Dutch winger Million Manhoef suffered defeat as he made his debut with Stoke City against Blackburn Rovers.

The 22-year-old attacker started the clash at Ewood Park to make his first appearance for the club since a January move from Vitesse Arnhem.

Million Manhoef played an hour as the Rovers ran out 3-1 winners, all four goals coming in the first half of the match, with Blackburn ending a run of eight Championship games without a win.

Rangers were at one point said to be leading the charge for the Vitesse Arnhem attacker’s signature, who was also strongly linked to Leicester City and Preston in January.

Million Manhoef makes Stoke City debut

Whilst Million Manhoef will need a little bit of time to adjust to English football, new club Stoke City very much find themselves in a relegation battle this season.

That defeat to Blackburn will have new Stoke manager Steven Schumacher sweating with the Potters only a point off the relegation zone having suffered four straight league defeats.

Million Manhoef has been signed with the intention of turning their fortunes around although he might well be wondering why a move to Ibrox never materialised should Stoke continue their slide.

It’s quite something going from the Eredivisie to League One and we’re sure the winger is going to give it his all to remain in the English second tier.

Interestingly, Blackburn are also in a period of managerial upheaval having sacked Jon Dahl Tomasson, known to Rangers fans from his time with Malmo. Let’s just say there will be no sympathy from Ibrox.

New Blackburn manager John Eustace – who was himself linked to Rangers during the Ibrox club’s latest managerial hunt – was in the crowd for the match but never took charge of proceedings.

His presence seems to have worked wonders too, with 17th placed Blackburn finally recording a victory.

Rangers filled right-winger slot with Oscar Cortes

Whilst Rangers were strongly linked with Million Manhoef to the tune of £2.5m in January, a transfer never really looked like materialising.

The winger instead moved to Stoke in a deadline day deal worth a reported €4m (£3.5m) which points to Rangers being priced out of a move.

The Gers didn’t rest on their laurels however, with the Ibrox side quickly moving to strike a deal for RC Lens winger Oscar Cortes instead.

The 20-year-old Colombian is already making a big impression at Ibrox, and the sounds from Philippe Clement suggest we might’ve got this call correct.

Read more news on https://sportupdates.co.uk/