Rangers have made a significant offer for Preston North End’s Ben Davies, rivalling Celtic’s interest in the central defender. Davies, 25, is out of contract with the Championship side and Football Insider are claiming that Rangers are set to rival Celtic with a pre-contract offer to the Englishman.

With over 120 appearances in the Championship with Preston, Davies is likely to want a challenge in a new setting and Celtic can offer him more in terms of European football and the opportunity to compete for trophies.Celtic are likely to need defensive options come the summer with Shane Duffy’s loan deal ending as well as Kris Ajer likely to be the subject of further transfer interest. Davies would be a good signing but now it appears that he has a decision to make.

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Celtic have already made a move for Davies’ PNE teammate Ben Pearson on a pre-contract. The ex-Man Utd kid will be available in the summer after failing to agree a new deal with Alex Neil’s side. Pearson appears to have been bombed out of the Preston team after revealing his intentions to leave the club in the summer.

The club’s recruitment have been quiet this month as they look to rebuild for next season. A new defence is needed so Celtic may need to increase their offer to entice Davies to Parkhead.