Kevin Thomson reckons Elliot Watt "could do a job" for Rangers. And when a man with five major medals from Ibrox starts talking, you tend to listen.
The former Rangers midfielder, who won back-to-back SPL titles under Walter Smith, has thrown his weight behind a potential move for the Motherwell star. Speaking on The Breakdown with Charlie Mulgrew, the self-proclaimed Light Blues "advocate" made clear he's been watching Watt closely.
"I think he could do a job for them," Thomson said. "And that's not trying to steal Motherwell's players because their fans must be loving him. I've obviously been an advocate."
"I've watched him live, on footage, on the telly and extended highlights that pop up on social media. And he can play. He can see a pass."
Thomson did offer one caveat: "I'm not so sure how mobile he is without the ball but if he was then to go to a team that dominates the ball more…"
That trailing sentence tells you everything. At Motherwell, Watt is asked to do a lot of defensive work. At Rangers, under Danny Rohl's possession-based system, his passing range would become the main attraction.
The numbers speak for themselves
The 24-year-old has registered four goals and two assists in 27 appearances since joining the Steelmen from Burton Albion last summer. One of those goals came against Celtic in Motherwell's 2-0 Fir Park upset. The kind of performance that gets noticed at Ibrox.
Motherwell sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership, seven points off second-placed Rangers. Jens Berthel Askou, the Danish manager who has turned Fir Park into something of a fortress, insists the speculation is actually helping his player.
"I have had many conversations with Elliot about all sorts of things and this is also one of them," Askou told Record Sport. "I think he's thriving with it. He's the same person and just enjoying life as a footballer right now. Big credit to him, he's a fantastic player."
"When you do well over time, attention will come from many places. That is something we will have to live with and deal with in the best possible way."
Rohl's clearout accelerating
Here's where it gets interesting. Rangers are looking to offload five players this month to fund January deals — and one of them is already edging towards the exit.
Kieran Dowell, who hasn't featured since August and has yet to play under Danny Rohl, appears to be the first man out. The 28-year-old midfielder impressed on loan at Birmingham City in the second half of last season, and that hasn't gone unnoticed in England.
According to the Hull Daily Mail, Hull City — who previously confirmed interest — are now "holding negotiations" over a deal. Leicester City have also been linked.
If Dowell goes, it creates space. And money. Both of which Rohl needs if he's serious about bringing Watt to Ibrox.
Thomson knows the midfield blueprint
Thomson's endorsement carries weight beyond sentimentality. He was part of Rangers' midfield during the Walter Smith era alongside Barry Ferguson and Pedro Mendes — a trio that dominated Scottish football and reached the 2008 UEFA Cup Final.
He knows what it takes to play in that engine room. The intensity. The demands. The pressure of 50,000 supporters every other week.
His assessment of Watt isn't based on YouTube clips alone. The man has watched him live. He's done his homework. And his conclusion? Watt is ready.
Whether Motherwell agree to part with their most influential player mid-season is another matter entirely. But with Dowell potentially on his way out and Rohl building something at Ibrox, the pieces are starting to align.
The January window closes on February 2nd. The clock is ticking.