With the news that Kris Commons and Derby County have opened contract negotiations, rumours have surfaced that Scottish champions Rangers may try to hijack those plans.

Perhaps the report is a ploy to help push up the resurgent Rams player’s price, as mirrorfootball.co.uk reported that the Glasgow club have their eye on the out of contract forward.

The reports centre around Walter Smith looking for cut price reinforcements for his squad and he believes Derby may let the player go for a small fee in January, rather than lose him when his contract runs out next summer.

It was also reported that he sent Ian Wilson (a former Leicester midfielder and Rangers scout) to at least the last three Rams games to assess Commons.

If you believe the rest of the report then Rangers will be able to offer a more significant pay packet to try and tempt Kris away from Pride Park. That couple with the fact he would find it easier to push his claims for International football from the SPL than the Championship.

It is quite amazing that little or no interest in Commons was being reported until DCFC stated it had opened talks with their key playmaker.

Maybe it is a mischievous manager attempting to keep Derby on their toes or maybe Rangers do have one eye on him. Or if you are a conspiracy theorist, the talks were opened by the Rams because they got wind of another suitor.

Whatever the case is, now that Commons is proving to the fans and his manager he can stay fit and be a more consistent performer for the team, it is imperative that Derby keep him on the books.

As the Rams continue to build towards what looks like a serious top 6 challenge, it is hard to see how they could continue an upward rise if they let their quality players go. As Derby grow a young and hungry squad it is now time to lock our star performers down and ensure we are not raided for our youthful talent.

Tom Glick and Nigel Clough have recently stated that they want to keep Commons and that contract talks were inevitable. Nigel Clough spoke to the media after the first round of talks:

"There was a meeting last week which was positive and I think another will be scheduled for possibly this week or next. We are doing everything we can to keep him here. He has said he would like to stay and we would like him to stay".

"If that is the case and you have got two parties who want to do a deal, then we hope one will get done”.

On recent form you could not blame any clubs taking a serious look at Cywka, Bueno, Barker, Commons, Green & Brayford. This is all the more reason for the Rams to signal we are no longer a club who needs to sell and the only way to do that is..... don’t!

Perhaps if there is any truth in the story then Robbie Savage should have a talk to young Kris. His constant derision of the quality of the SPL in comparison to the Championship on his radio talkback program, might now be better directed at his team mate.

I doubt Robbie will need any encouragement to get in anyone’s ear and share his opinions but that alone might be enough for Commons to wish for a move to Scotland.

Just kidding Robbie!

Photo: Action Images

pkay_brum added 14:10 - Nov 2 Kris isn't 'out of contract'; his Derby deal expires next summer. He'd be able to prepare to move and set up a pre-contract agreement in the new year whilst playing out his contract at Derby. The papers need stories, Commons is playing well and people will be stimulating rumour through tabloid excitement and perhaps on his behalf to provoke Derby into action to retain him. With Commons opting to play for Scotland it adds a romantic twist for the newspapers and suggests a boost to the SPL's chronic lack of home-grown talent. However, he'd be wasted up there, and is surely destined for better things with Derby and ultimately a big-money move if he sustains his current form and fitness for many months and not weeks! We can expect plenty of speculation if we have players creating headlines; let's hope it is not unsettling and that the club build around this promising core, rather than cashing in and 'marking time' perpetually.

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swamp_thing added 16:24 - Nov 2 You seem pretty calm, pkay. I'm pretty wooried myself.
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ramdanj added 22:47 - Nov 2 Cheers Pkay. Have adjusted the error in the story....Summer it is! :) I am sure the Rams will tie him down but with their recent history of selling ebfore securing I suppose you have to keep one eye open.....
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