Some intriguing #cf97-related news: Defender/midfielder Matt Polster and homegrown left back Andrew Gutman are currently in Scotland on trial with Rangers.— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) December 18, 2018
From the local paper: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sp...re-matt-polster-andrew-gutman-steven-gerrard/
Tenorio reporting that Polster is still in negotiations with Rangers ($): https://theathletic.com/755378/2019/01/08/
As @PaulTenorio reports (and I can confirm), Andrew Gutman has an offer from Celtic in addition to Rangers. The IU left back recently won the Hermann Trophy as the best player in NCAA. Similarly, Matt Polster has the offer from Rangers - which I'd be surprised if he turned down— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 8, 2019
Adding to the Matt Polster details in here: The right back is in Tenerife with Rangers now and, as I wrote, is likely to sign with them. Fire have made a competitive offer. https://t.co/HkiyPlw4p3— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) January 8, 2019
And, in quotes reported by STV, assistant manager Gary McAllister has explained the impact Polster has made behind the scenes at Rangers – and it bodes well for the Wisconsin-born enforcer’s hopes of a future at Ibrox. "He was impressive on a previous visit so this gives us a better chance to give him a whole week with the players and work on loads of aspects,” McAllister said. "He has been impressive so far, the recruitment guys have done a good job spotting this fella." https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/01/11/do-gary-mcallister-comments-on-rangers-trialist-matt-polster/
Not signed quite yet: https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/spor...iter-prepares-for-ibrox-loan-exit/?ref=twtrec
This guy sounds decent. Hopefully he can buck the trend of Americans in Scotland and be successful. Bedoya, Beasley , Zelalem, Kitchen, and Johnsen had decent reps but just didn't perform. The Rangers fans seem to think he looks a decent prospect, and if Steven Gerrard signs you, then he must have something to offer a team like them.
The high profile recruitment of Steven Gerrard as manager has whetted the appetite of fans and pundits, but is the club a phoenix from the ashes, or are its new foundations made of sand? @KieranMaguire on the fall & rise of Rangers:https://t.co/K5ZNCVghXX#WhiteboardFootball pic.twitter.com/Mk3TAtpzj8— Tifo Football (@TifoFootball_) January 18, 2019
Already getting a profile: https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/transfer-news/matt-polster-rangers-what-expect-15705677 "He’s an excellent player with a lot of qualities," said Bocanegra. "I’m sure he’d be suited to Scottish football and he’s now got the chance to join one of the biggest clubs in the world. It would be a great move for him and he seems to be really excited about it so I hope it happens.”
Matt Polster has had his UK Work Permit application approved. This clears the way for him to formally sign with Rangers.— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 25, 2019
Hearing he’s in Paris for a work visa, which I’m told is a formality that’s part of the process and then he will sign.
Technically you cannot apply for an initial work permit from within the country. Work Permit applications and approvals are made at an Embassy or Consulate. Paris or Dublin are the closest. For footballers, it makes more sense otherwise they would have to go back to their country of residence and apply there and then travel to the UK.
He had to go outside the country then go back in, and decided to do it in Par-ee. I think sometimes players coming in to MLS have to go to Canada or Mexico to do this step if they had been training with the team in the US previously.
Every country does this differently (and even the US allows some visas to be picked up here and others have to be -- or are faster -- if done outside). I'm just surprised a football mad country like the UK doesn't have a special office to handle all that.
There are lots of shorter line situations for VIPs or people with certain status, even in government offices. Having a well known footballer sitting at the DMV (or the visa office) might be a huge distraction.
RIght. Pretty sure the visas are done by appointment basis at an Embassy/Consulate. I am sure the poor little lambs can handle being around the hoi polloi for a bit and vice versa
Official: ✍️ #RangersFC are today delighted to confirm the signing of Matt Polster (@MattPolster) subject to international clearance: https://t.co/FwdFww8Flm pic.twitter.com/6fMmLiWfZG— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 30, 2019