According to Football Insider, Glasgow Rangers target Ben Davies has rejected a club-record deal from Preston North End.

What's the word?

The English centre-back has been one of the standout performers for the Championship outfit but now seems destined for a Deepdale exit.

Steven Gerrard has got the Gers far ahead of their arch-rivals in the Scottish Premiership title race and may look for January additions to keep them there and Rangers could trump their bitter rivals Celtic to the signing of the talented Davies during the transfer window.

Steal a march on Celtic

The Light Blues are in the market for a new centre-back whilst Neil Lennon's side have their own problems at the back, having shipped 15 goals in 19 games so far.

Gerrard's Gers have a number of senior players who are out of contract at the end of this season, and though the Rangers manager has insisted that he isn't looking to sell right now, players such as outcasts George Edmundson and Jordan Jones could be heading for the Ibrox exit in January.

Should such a possibility arise, a bid for Davies could be on the cards with the 25-year-old's contract set to expire in June this year.

Preston boss Alex Neil has previously heaped praise on the wantaway defender, describing him as a "fantastic" beast after the 2-1 victory over Bristol City back in 2017, whilst former Rangers full-back Alan Hutton recently told Football Insider he "ticks all the boxes."

Gerrard could cover most of his bases at the back with a versatile player who can play in the centre or on the left if he can convince Ross Wilson to dip into the market.

Davies has made 15 appearances in the Championship this season, picking up one assist, whilst he is currently averaging 1.2 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 4.3 clearances on average per game, via WhoScored.

As the Gers seek to stop Celtic from winning ten in a row, the recruitment of Davies could be a good bit of business. Stealing him from right under Celtic's nose would be the icing on the cake.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers must reward Leon Balogun for his services with a new contract...