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Nottingham Forest announced the departure of manager Aitor Karanka on Friday morning, and there could be major ramifications for Rangers as a result.
What’s the word, then?
Well, despite being just outside of the Championship play-off positions heading into the weekend the Spaniard has been under pressure for a number of weeks now, and he asked to be released from his contract on Friday.
The 45-year-old sent Joe Worrall out on a season-long loan deal to Rangers during the summer transfer window having seemingly been left unimpressed with the 22-year-old, who had made 56 appearances for the Reds prior to his temporary move away.
Given he is only on loan, whoever Forest’s new boss is may well want to take a look at promising centre-back, who looks to have just reached a crucial point under Steven Gerrard north of the border.
What’s happened?
The 6ft 4in defender hasn’t always been a regular in the starting XI for the Glasgow giants this term and despite forming a strong partnership with Conor Goldson earlier in the campaign, he had largely shared the role with Nikola Katic and Gareth McAuley since.
However, Worrall has been more of a consistent fixture in the side in more recent weeks in the Scottish Premiership, and Gerrard proved the trust he has in the youngster by naming him from the start for the crucial Old Firm clash against Celtic at Ibrox before the winter break.
The 22-year-old stood up to the task brilliantly to help the hosts to a win and a clean sheet against Brendan Rodgers’ side, and one moment in particular stood out when he executed a perfect slide tackle on the Bhoys’ Anthony Ralston.
Losing him before February 1 would surely be a big blow for Gerrard and Rangers, but it could well be on the cards under a new manager given Forest don’t have a great deal of depth in that position right now.
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