Derby County casting eyes over ex-Rangers player | OneFootball

Derby County are taking a closer look at the former Rangers goalkeeper Alfie Halliwell

Derby County will be aiming to earn another top eight finish in the Championship in 2026/27.

The Rams finished eighth last season, which left them four points adrift of the play-off places, but the competition is expanding to include two more teams from the next campaign.

John Eustace’s side have their sights set on fighting for a place in the Premier League, with it now being 18 years since the club last competed in the top flight.

Derby have been active in the transfer window so far this summer, bringing in Bobby Clark on a permanent basis after a successful loan spell.

The Championship side have also signed Filip Bilbija and Charlie Taylor as free agents to bolster their left flank.

And Eustace will be keen to see more incomings arrive between now and the 1 September deadline.

Derby County take ex-Rangers starlet on loan

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It has been reported by Football Insider that Derby have taken Alfie Halliwell on trial following his exit from Rangers.

The 18-year-old was released by the Scottish giants earlier this summer after he graduated from their academy system.

The goalkeeper was unable to break into the first team squad at Ibrox, which led to his departure.

But the Rams are now taking a closer look at Halliwell with a view to potentially offering him a contract.

It’s believed that any deal for the youngster will see him join the academy system, which could lead to first team opportunities in the future.

Halliwell has already been capped by Scotland at U19 level, playing five times, and he went out on loan to Albion Rovers last season to earn senior experience.

Derby are now offering him a chance to show what he can do up close, which could lead to a contract offer.

However, no decision has yet been made on whether they will look to keep the shot stopper at this stage.

Any work to sign Halliwell will have no impact on their first team transfer business, with just under five weeks remaining in the market.

Eustace will be keen to strengthen his first team squad, but bolstering the academy will also be of importance to the club as part of their long-term strategy.

Derby will return to league action when the new Championship campaign gets underway, with a trip to face Charlton Athletic on 15 August.

Alfie Halliwell is one for the future at Derby

Supporters will be keen to see Derby complete signings for the first team squad in the coming weeks, but moves like Halliwell could also prove significant.

Bolstering the academy is always a worthwhile pursuit as it can lead to players coming through the ranks at a greater rate, which in turn helps the senior team.

Halliwell was released by Rangers, but that can be to Derby’s advantage, as they can now see up close just what he can bring to the academy.

The 18-year-old may not even join the club, let alone break into the first team in the future, but it is a positive sign that the Rams are making an effort to scour the market for exciting underage talent.