Personal terms agreed: Rangers close in on SPFL star believed to be even better than Ferguson.

Rangers appear to be edging closer to another summer addition, and while much of the recent conversation has centred around the possibility of bringing Lewis Ferguson back to Scotland, the Ibrox club may already be on the verge of securing a midfielder who could prove to be an even better fit for Derek McInnes.

Reports circulating on X claim that Rangers are close to completing a deal for Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin after agreeing personal terms with the Australian international.

With Devlin’s contract at Tynecastle set to expire next week, Rangers have reportedly moved quickly to secure his signature on a free transfer, avoiding the need to pay a transfer fee for one of the Scottish Premiership’s most energetic midfielders.

Should everything proceed as expected, the midfielder is anticipated to complete his move to Ibrox within the coming days, providing McInnes with another player he knows well from his time working in Scottish football.

If the transfer is finalised at the beginning of July, Devlin would join fellow Hearts player Lawrence Shankland among McInnes’ summer recruits, further strengthening the manager’s familiarity within the dressing room.

Why Cammy Devlin Could Be A Better Fit Than Lewis Ferguson

There is little doubt about Lewis Ferguson’s quality.

The Scotland international has established himself as an important player in Serie A with Bologna and has demonstrated that he can compete successfully in one of Europe’s strongest leagues.

His experience abroad has undoubtedly improved him as a footballer, while his leadership qualities have seen him become one of the standout Scottish midfielders playing outside the country.

However, despite his impressive reputation, Ferguson’s recent availability raises a few questions.

Across the last two league campaigns, he has started only 27 league matches, meaning injuries and fitness issues have limited his involvement during an important period of his career.

Availability is often one of the most valuable qualities any player can possess, particularly for clubs expected to compete across several competitions.

That is one area where Devlin appears to hold an advantage.

Over the same two-season period, the Hearts midfielder has started 49 Scottish Premiership matches, highlighting both his durability and consistency.

His ability to remain available week after week could prove invaluable for Rangers as they prepare for another demanding domestic and European schedule.

Rather than needing careful workload management, Devlin has consistently shown that he can handle the physical demands of Scottish football throughout an entire campaign.

That reliability alone could make him a hugely important addition to McInnes’ midfield.

The Numbers Strongly Support Devlin

Looking beyond appearances, the statistics from the 2025/26 campaign paint an equally encouraging picture for the Australian.

Although Ferguson continues to receive deserved praise for his technical qualities and leadership, Devlin’s performances suggest he could offer Rangers even greater balance in midfield.

During last season, Devlin made 28 league appearances for Hearts, while Ferguson featured in 27 Serie A matches for Bologna.

Devlin also found the net twice compared to Ferguson’s single league goal.

Creatively, Devlin registered an expected assists (xA) figure of 1.63, comfortably ahead of Ferguson’s 1.22, indicating that he remained capable of contributing going forward despite primarily operating in a deeper midfield role.

Where the comparison becomes particularly striking is in the defensive metrics.

Devlin averaged an outstanding four tackles per match compared to Ferguson’s average of one.

He also recorded 2.1 interceptions per game, while Ferguson averaged just 0.4.

Those figures illustrate how influential Devlin is without possession.

His anticipation, work rate and aggression allow him to consistently disrupt opposition attacks before they become dangerous.

For a Rangers side that struggled defensively at times last season, those qualities could prove extremely valuable.

Winning possession higher up the pitch and limiting opponents’ opportunities are areas McInnes is expected to prioritise as he reshapes his squad.

Devlin’s statistics suggest he already excels in exactly those aspects of midfield play.

A Midfielder Built For McInnes

The comparison extends beyond tackles and interceptions.

Devlin also averaged 8.1 duels won per match compared to Ferguson’s 3.1.

His ground duel success rate stood at an impressive 62%, comfortably outperforming Ferguson’s 54%.

Although Ferguson recorded the stronger aerial duel success rate at 52%, compared to Devlin’s 34%, Rangers are unlikely to recruit the Hearts midfielder because of his aerial ability.

Instead, they would be signing a player capable of pressing aggressively, recovering possession quickly and setting the tone defensively from central midfield.

Those qualities align perfectly with the type of football McInnes has traditionally favoured throughout his managerial career.

His teams have consistently relied upon midfielders capable of covering ground, breaking up opposition attacks and competing relentlessly in physical contests.

Devlin appears ideally suited to that role.

The Australian’s relentless energy, defensive discipline and willingness to battle for every loose ball would immediately strengthen Rangers’ midfield options.

Given that the Light Blues failed to keep a clean sheet during their final eight matches of last season, improving defensive protection in front of the back four should undoubtedly be among the manager’s priorities.

Devlin’s impressive defensive numbers suggest he could provide exactly that solution.

Proven In Scottish Football

Another important advantage for Devlin is his familiarity with the Scottish Premiership.

Unlike Ferguson, who has spent four seasons developing in Italy, Devlin has continued to perform week in and week out against the same domestic opponents Rangers will face next season.

There would be no adjustment period.

He understands the physical demands, the intensity and the unique challenges presented by Scottish football.

That experience reduces the uncertainty often associated with new signings.

Ferguson would undoubtedly possess the quality to succeed upon returning to Scotland, but after several years abroad there would naturally be questions about how quickly he could adapt once again to the Premiership.

Devlin faces no such concerns.

He has consistently delivered strong performances for Hearts and established himself as one of the division’s most effective midfield competitors.

His recent form also comes after helping Hearts mount a serious challenge near the top end of the Premiership table last season, demonstrating that he can perform under pressure for one of Scotland’s biggest clubs outside the Old Firm.

Those experiences should leave him well prepared for the increased expectations that accompany wearing a Rangers shirt.

A Smart Piece Of Business

Perhaps one of the most attractive aspects of the proposed deal is the financial value it represents.

With Devlin available as a free agent following the expiration of his Hearts contract, Rangers have the opportunity to strengthen an important area of the squad without spending a transfer fee.

In the modern transfer market, acquiring an experienced, proven Premiership midfielder for nothing represents excellent business.

Any funds saved could then be redirected towards strengthening other positions within McInnes’ squad during the remainder of the transfer window.

That flexibility could prove crucial as Rangers continue reshaping the team ahead of another title challenge.

Final Verdict

Lewis Ferguson remains one of Scotland’s finest midfielders and would undoubtedly improve almost any side in the country if he returned home.

However, football transfers are about far more than reputation alone.

Current form, fitness, availability, tactical suitability and overall value all play significant roles when assessing potential signings.

Based on those factors, Cammy Devlin could prove to be an even more valuable acquisition for Rangers.

His exceptional defensive numbers, impressive consistency, familiarity with Scottish football and availability on a free transfer make him an extremely attractive option.

If Rangers complete the deal in the coming days, McInnes may have secured one of the smartest pieces of business of the summer.

While Ferguson’s name naturally attracts headlines, Devlin possesses many of the qualities Rangers arguably need even more.

Should he reproduce the level of performance he displayed for Hearts last season, the Australian could quickly establish himself as one of the club’s most influential midfielders and perhaps even emerge as the better signing in the long run.