Rangers already have McInnes’ new Claudio Braga

As Derek McInnes looks ahead to a first season in charge at Glasgow Rangers, the question remains: will Mikey Moore be returning to Ibrox?

After an initial slow start under Russell Martin, like for many, the situation improved for the teenager after the Englishman’s dismissal and the arrival of Danny Rohl, with Moore emerging as a real shining light in 2026.

That spell under the German’s watch saw the 18-year-old score away at Parkhead in two separate visits, having also been mesmeric in the Old Firm meeting on home soil in March.

He has since returned to parent club Tottenham Hotspur, however, and with Borussia Dortmund sniffing around by all accounts, that ship might well have sailed as far as the Gers are concerned.

Why Rangers could avoid Mikey Moore reunion this summer

In another trophyless campaign at Ibrox, Moore was certainly a reason to be excited, the Spurs starlet deservingly swooping the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award following his fine form from the flanks.

It was a season in which a string of senior forwards toiled for the Light Blues, not least Andreas Skov Olsen and Oliver Antman, yet Moore came to the fore, arguably the most consistent figure of the Rohl regime.

And yet, does a return on loan really suit anyone? Should Rangers wish to develop someone else’s player for a second season in succession?

Of course, even permanent signings can depart swiftly – just look at Hamza Igamane – yet it does leave a sour taste that the Gers have so often seen their brightest spark come in the form of a loan signing, be it Malik Tillman, Abdallah Sima, Vaclav Cerny or Moore, with none of that quartet sticking around permanently.

A £40m fee has been floated in terms of what it would take to land Moore on a permanent basis, with that figure only likely to rise if he sparkles on another loan next term.

For all the Englishman’s brilliance too, he isn’t exactly irreplaceable, having only ended the season with seven goals and four assists in all competitions.

Indeed, it might be worth McInnes looking to promote from within instead next season.

Why Rangers might already have McInnes’ new Braga

McInnes’ brilliance at Hearts last year was powered by the dynamic duo of Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga, the Tynecastle pairing netting 30 Premiership goals between them to surge within a whisker of title glory.

Shankland has since been welcomed in with open arms at Ibrox, and while there have been suggestions that Braga could follow suit, the Portuguese forward is unsurprisingly courting attention from afar.

Maybe Moore could fit the bill as another dynamic forward to work in tandem off Shankland, yet McInnes might already have the perfect fit in that regard, in the form of Findlay Curtis.

A remarkably versatile talent, Curtis forced his way into Scotland’s World Cup following his string of fine performances out on loan at Kilmarnock in the second-half of 2025/26.

While a left-winger by trade, the 20-year-old popped up here, there and everywhere at Rugby Park, his deployment ranging from right-back to centre-forward under Neil McCann.

Whether he lines up, Curtis is, undoubtedly, a threat, someone who might even have the edge on Moore in terms of what he offers in front of goal.

Indeed, the academy graduate did actually better Moore’s tally of seven goals by netting eight himself last season, five of which came in just 14 games at Killie.

With three assists to boot – just one shy of what Moore achieved in 2025/26 – it does showcase why Curtis deserves a look-in next season, having remained on the periphery under both Martin and Rohl.

It’s also something of a shame that at a time when Scotland aren’t exactly blessed with flying wingers or in-form attacking talent, the youngster was only handed mere late cameos by Steve Clarke, the latter of which came all too late against Brazil.

His time will come on the international stage, having already scored in the warm-up clash against Curacao, while the same might be true next season with the Gers.

If Moore does stay at Spurs or move on elsewhere, that should only enhance Curtis’ hopes of increased game time, with there a real talent there for McInnes to nurture.

Like the 54-year-old had with Braga, this is another mobile forward who can wreak havoc all across the frontline.

As he showcased last term, there is a real similarity to the Hearts star, with Curtis’s record not too different in terms of minutes per goal (214 vs 207), big chances created (five vs seven) and successful dribbles per game (0.9 vs 1.0).

McInnes helped to make Braga a breakout star in Edinburgh – why can’t he now do the same with Curtis in Glasgow?