Midfielder Cammy Devlin joins Glasgow Rangers - 18 months after Portsmouth transfer 'leak' that left ex-Hearts boss fuming
One-time Pompey target Cammy Devlin has joined Rangers on a free transfer
It was a Pompey transfer rumour which left then Hearts manager Neil Critchley absolutely fuming.
Now, 18 months on from the controversial incident, the player at the centre of it all, Cammy Devlin, is celebrating a ‘pretty special’ move.
After leaving Tynecastle on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract, the midfielder has joined Glasgow Rangers on a two-year deal, with the club having the option of an additional 12 months.
The Socceroos international moves to Ibrox after five years in Edinburgh and 171 appearances for last season’s Scottish Premiership runners up.
Critchley: ‘totally unacceptable’
The Blues were linked with a move for the former Wellington Phoenix ace three-and-a-half years into his Hearts stay during the January 2025 transfer window.
The Edinburgh Evening News broke the news of Pompey’s interest by claiming they had been monitoring the midfielder for some time as they looked to bolster their engine room ahead of a crucial second half to their 2024-25 Championship campaign.
MLS side New York City were also reported to be admirers of Devlin, with our colleagues north of the border adding the player would be available for a little as £280,000 that month if either club triggered the midfielder’s release clause.
The making public of such a fee has incensed Critchley, though.
At the time, he said information like that - despite his claim that was not inaccurate - should remain wholly private. He also insisted that those who leaked it were not acting in the best interests of Hearts Football Club.
‘We've not had anything on Cam, so that's the first I've heard of it,’ said Critchley.
‘What I would say is certain information that has been leaked is unacceptable. Gossip and transfer rumours is one thing, but leaking information that should be confidential to a player, club etc. goes beyond the line and doesn't help anybody.
‘It wasn't accurate anyway, but say in terms of Cammy being linked to other clubs, we've not had anything from any other club regarding Cammy.’
He added: ‘I'm not going to discuss players’ personal contracts, I won't discuss your contracts with other people and I'm certainly not going to get into whether Cam's got a release clause.
‘It's not right, it doesn't help in terms of signing players, retaining players. Whoever's done that or wherever that's come from, I wouldn't class them as somebody who's got the best interests at heart for Hearts.’
Pompey: what happened after Devlin link emerged
Devlin would go on to register 29 league appearances for Hearts by the close of the 2024-25 season as he remained at Hearts.
The midfielder would also play a crucial role in the Edinburgh club’s eye-catching pursuit of the Scottish Premiership title last term, a bid that faltered on the final day of the season at champions Celtic.
As for Pompey, they turned their attentions to the midfield loan signings of Isaac Hayden and Adil Aouchiche during that hectic 2025 January transfer window which saw eight new signings arrive and seven players depart.
And the squad reshuffle worked as John Mousinho’s side secured their Championship status with two games remaining.
During the current transfer window, Pompey are once again on the lookout for midfield reinforcements.
Odin Bailey has already been snapped up on a free transfer from Stockport County, while the Fratton faithful are waiting for Rocco Shein’s transfer from Fredrikstad FK to be confirmed.
The Blues have also been linked with moves for midfielders Archie Collins, Jesper Cessay and Mate Tuboly after missing out on the signing of Gibson Yah.
There’s no suggestion, however, that Pompey had revisited their reported previous interest in Devlin this summer.
Following confirmation of his move to Rangers, Devlin said: ‘I am so aware, having been in Scotland for a while now, of the size of the club and everything that comes with playing for such a massive football club.
‘To call myself a Rangers player now feels pretty special and I just cannot wait to get started.’
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