The article I mentioned above:
Former Carlisle United manager Steven Pressley has urged Scotland's Old Firm giants to move for starlet Jarrad Branthwaite this month.
And Pressley says it would be worth paying a high transfer fee for the teenager because he will be a future England player.
Defender Branthwaite, 17, has been the subject of approaches by Watford and Everton, as reported by in-Cumbria sister title, the News & Star last week.
A host of other big clubs have been linked with the Wigton-based player.
Pressley, speaking to Graeme McGarry of The Herald in Glasgow, said he believed 17-year-old Branthwaite will go to "the top of the game" and that Celtic and Rangers should seriously consider bidding.
He said: "Since leaving Carlisle I’ve had numerous phone calls about him from English Premier League and Championship clubs.
"He is on the radar of so many clubs down south, so it’s no surprise to me that Celtic and Rangers would be looking at him too.
"I haven’t heard from either side of the Old Firm yet, but if you are asking me if I think they should act quickly to get him during this window, then I would say absolutely.
"Some people might baulk at the transfer fee it would take to get him, and yes, you might not ideally want to pay that kind of money for a 17-year-old. But trust me, it’s the best investment they could make."
Pressley, who gave Branthwaite his debut this season before being sacked by the Blues in November, added that the young centre-half would fit the "model" of the Old Firm clubs that sees them "identify young talent that will help them in the short term and make them money in the long term".
He added: "Whatever they pay for him just now, they will make 20 times that down the line. He’s that good.
“He’s got everything you need to be a top defender. He’s six foot four, he’s quick, and he can absolutely play. You wouldn’t know what foot is his preferred one, really, because he’s so comfortable on the ball.
“For me, he is a future England internationalist. No question about it. That’s how highly I rate him. He’ll go to the very top of the game."
Pressley also said Branthwaite is "already good enough to make an impact on either the Celtic or Rangers starting line-ups" and that he would cope both with the big stage, and the physical challenge of Scotland's top-flight.
United have not commented on any bids for Branthwaite, while it is understood the club offered the teenager a new contract several weeks ago.
