Rangers appear to be returning to a familiar well as rumours swirl around a move for Dundee’s Josh Mulligan — just a few months after the club secured a pre-contract agreement with his teammate Lyall Cameron.
If the Ibrox side press ahead with the Mulligan deal, it would represent their second swoop on Dens Park this year, and a clear sign that Rangers are actively targeting emerging Scottish Premiership talent — a shift in recruitment strategy that could have long-term significance.
Another Young Scottish Bargain?
Mulligan, like Cameron, is out of contract in the summer. That means Rangers can negotiate directly with the player and avoid paying a transfer fee — although they would still owe Dundee a development fee as compensation due to Mulligan’s age.
That compensation, however, is likely to be a fraction of what Rangers would need to spend if he were under a long-term deal. It’s a savvy piece of business that reflects a club looking to maximise value in the domestic market while building depth in key positions. Nils Koppen has already said in an interview that Rangers are looking to add the best of young Scottish talent to the squad as they look to establish a core of Scottish players within the club. This feels like another significant piece in this jigsaw.
Who Is Josh Mulligan?
A product of Dundee’s youth system, Mulligan (22 years old) made his senior debut at just 16 and has since developed into a versatile and reliable performer. Capable of playing at right-back, in central midfield or further forward on the right, his physicality, engine and adaptability have made him a key figure under Tony Docherty.
He made 37 appearances for Dundee in the 2024/25 campaign (so far), providing five assists and plenty of energy on and off the ball. He’s also been capped at U21 level for Scotland, where he impressed with his work rate and pressing — qualities that would fit well in Rangers’ high-tempo setup. Overall Mulligan has now made 115 appearances for Dundee, scoring 6 and providing 12 assists, 6 assists coming this season. At just 22 years old he has considerable experience in Scottish Football.
A Changing Strategy at Ibrox?
Rangers have long talked about developing Scottish talent through the academy, but this summer’s moves suggest a pivot. With Lyall Cameron already signed and Josh Mulligan potentially on the way, the club seems focused on importing ready-made Scottish players who can contribute immediately and still offer future value.
As Rangers fans we like nothing more than seeing young academy players break into the first team, but the reality is that this rarely happens. While there is certainly talent within the current academy group, game time is also very limited and experience is important. Hopefully something the new leadership team at Rangers can find a solution for.
Adding Mulligan would be another step towards creating a homegrown core — not from Auchenhowie, but from elsewhere in the Premiership. It’s a sign that Rangers are willing to be pragmatic, targeting players with top-flight experience who can grow into the shirt without the same risk level as untested academy prospects.
And with the likes of Connor Barron, Bailey Rice and Findlay Curtis already in the picture, a healthy mix of internal development and smart domestic transfers could give Rangers a stronger Scottish identity moving forward.
Final Thoughts
Josh Mulligan may not be the headline-grabbing name some fans dream of, but this is exactly the type of squad-building move successful clubs make behind the scenes. With the right coaching and opportunity, Mulligan could thrive at Ibrox — and if the club pull it off on a free (compensation pending), it could be another quiet masterstroke in a changing era for Rangers recruitment.
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