Rangers are reported to have joined Hearts in showing interest in Town defender Christophe Berra.

According to the Edinburgh Evening News, both clubs want to sign Berra in the summer if he leaves the Blues, Hearts having been strongly linked with their former player in January.

As things stand, the 32-year-old, who is said to be aware of the interest from the two Scottish Premiership sides, is out of contract and would be available on a free transfer at the end of the season but Town have an option to keep him for a further year which they are yet to take up.

Berra, who started his career with his hometown club Hearts and was interesting Rangers - who are currently managerless - before he joined the Blues in the summer of 2013, has said he intends to return to Scotland at some stage.

Speaking in September, he said: “I’ve had a great time down here and as I’ve said before my daughter is four and at some point I’d want to go back home.

“That’s obvious — all my family and friends are there — but at the moment I’m enjoying my football. Ipswich have been good to me and hopefully I can repay them.”

Photo: TWTD

mickymacsbarmyarmy added 10:33 - Mar 8 please go & go now !! your distribution is Sunday league standard, example last night you had the ball under no pressure whatsoever yet you proceeded to absolutely thrash the ball 20 yards at throat height to grant ward who had absolutely had not a cat in halls chance of bringing the ball under control
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Smithy added 10:33 - Mar 8 All in all has been decent for ITFC, but think we now need to move on and he's not the future. Knudsen has proved he can play on the left, while Tommy Smith should not be left out of the side, so save his wages which must be at the high end and invest elsewhere. Thanks Bez, you've proved a great signing and we wish you well.
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Cloddyseedbed added 10:35 - Mar 8 Glad your enjoying your football and yes Ipswich have been really good to you. You and a few others that seem undropable, no matter what their form is. Hopefully a replacement can be found who is comfortable on the ball and can play football.
3

hoppy added 10:50 - Mar 8 Cloddyseedbed - someone like Webster, you mean?
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Archiebitfc added 11:12 - Mar 8 To be honest I think we are being a bit harsh, Berra has been a great addition to the club whilst he has struggled this year we have seen elements to show us why he is international level ... key example Norwich away, without him that day we would have no way came home with a point. I know we do have alternatives but what happens if these get injured ... be careful what you wish for

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martin587 added 11:20 - Mar 8 He has been a good servant over the years but this season has shown his weakness and I feel it's time for him to move on and give the younger lads a chance to develope.When he goes I wish him all the best.!
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londonben added 11:58 - Mar 8 Has been great player for us but next season I'd like to see a backline built around Smith and Webster, whether that be this two in a back 4 or a back three with Chambo/Knudsen in there, having younger, quicker players who are comfortable on the ball at the back has to be the way forward. As previously mentioned, the long ball rubbish that has plagued us this season starts at the back...no point having a decent ball playing centre midfield (Dozzel/Bish/Bru/Huws/Ward etc.) if we can't get it to them from the back.

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SouperJim added 13:00 - Mar 8 londonben I agree, but an equal sized part of the problem is Mick's determination to play two defensive-minded midfield players who are equally poor on the ball. Watching Skuse and Toums trying to carve a decent passing move out last night was painful. Either way we must have balance, rather than the 7-5-0 system we saw last night. We can get away with the likes of Berra in the side more if we show a bit more ambition with who we select in midfield.

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iaintaylorx added 13:40 - Mar 8 Berra has been a great player for us over the years and some of the criticism is way too strong. However, over the last two seasons, his form his dipped. Poor management has been a main cause of that as Berra knows he will play every game no matter how well he plays. I'd let him leave, but maybe take up the option of another year, just so we can get a fee for him - making sure his wages don't cost more over the next few months, but we do need another players to cover. Chambo, Smith, possibly Taylor and Knudsen and Webster are great at centre back, but I feel we need another centre back to keep them all on their toes!

5

mike added 13:48 - Mar 8 Super Jim Skuse wasn't playing!
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Pencilpete added 15:45 - Mar 8 Some people literally have nothing positive to say at all, Christophe Berra has been one of the best and most consistant defenders we have had, i'd say in the last 25-30 years, anyone who wants to argue this has clearly forgotten Georges Santos, Drissa Diallo, David Linighan to name a few !. He rarely misses a game and has popped up with more than his share of important goals. At 32 coming up 33 he has lost that little bit of pace that you need and has found this season a struggle. I agree a move back to Scotland would suit all but I certainly won't be slagging the man off like some on here, Berra has made over 170 Appearances for us in 4 solid seasons with us and deserves a bit more respect than he being given.

13

jas0999 added 17:27 - Mar 8 Little doubt that Berra will move on in the Summer and rightly he will go with our best wishes after a few years of excellent service. This will of course be music to Evans ears. A high earner off the books, a replacement likely to be on less money. Then the usual spin that wages have increased with no mention of savings!
6

wherescounago added 17:40 - Mar 8 I thought he played well against England earlier in the season and looked a good defender as he has for us in the past few seasons. However recently he has looked lost, not at the races and more content in swopping shirts with the opposition before the final whistle. So it must be down to the training and orders given to him before he runs oUt to play for us. Thanks Christophe you've been a good player but unfortunately it has been ruined by tactics from the 1970s!!!

4

MickMillsTash added 18:19 - Mar 8 His Job is to defend and by far our best defender for a long time Has struggled playing alongside Webster (who is our worst defender - at defending) but often there when needed, has great positioning, is brave and uses his experience really well Criticism of his distribution is unfair - he should only need to pass 10 yards to someone more capable. Will be missed. Pencilpete - what about Sonko?

3

Mark added 18:27 - Mar 8 I still think Berra is our strongest and best-in-the-air defender, and he has been one of McCarthy's best signings alongside Bialkowski, Mings, Skuse and McGoldrick. A key player for years, he will be missed if he goes. That said, I appreciate he is getting older and if he wants to leave then maybe it is time to hand over to others. The savings on his wages can help towards the loss of income from summer season ticket sales!

4

shakytown added 18:52 - Mar 8 Average player who always tries his best. Sadly like many others his best is not up to championship standard.
1

Gazelle added 18:56 - Mar 8 19 of the other 23 teams have scored more goals than us and only 9 have conceded less so why on earth do some people on here continually blame the defence for our predicament.
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Brownie added 19:28 - Mar 8 He must have been awful to win player of the year two years ago... He has done well for us & given 100% every time he has played. Yes his form has dipped but some of the stuff that people have posted is ludicrous. If he goes we should be saying thanks & good luck. He deserves nothing less. People are quick to post about the club losing its identity. Perhaps a few should have a look at themselves and remember we have always been decent supporters who treat our players & ex players with courtesy. I'm in the MM to go clan but I'm equally frustrated by the posts on here that turn everything into a negative. Good luck to Christophe if he goes or stays.. And no I'm not his agent!! COYB!

6

wherescounago added 19:37 - Mar 8 Gazelle you're right, it's not the defence it's the non existent midfield who do not establish themselves on the pitch and give the forwards something to feed on.
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Wickets added 19:38 - Mar 8 Yes Souper Jim we played 7-3-0 and never looked like scoring.
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Blue041273 added 21:40 - Mar 8 We all know Christophe is working out his notice. While he may not be quite the player he was two years back he is still an international squad regular. We may find it hard to find a centre back to fill his shoes. Yes we have Webster to come in; and yes we have Tommy Smith available now. But we need strength in depth. Like with Murphy we might come to realise that the 'Big Man' can't easily be replaced.

3

Dissboyitfc added 06:43 - Mar 9 Because Gazelle, when the defence hoofs the ball up the pitch it seldom finds a blue shirt. And Brera is very guilty of that, has been a good defender for us in previous seasons but never good with the ball, His passing is Woeful!
5

Beattiesballbag added 10:09 - Mar 9 wherescounago You obviously weren't about in the seventies or have a very poor memory! You should be ashamed of yourself! Incase you are not aware or actually have forgotten? we used to watch the best football the club has experienced under a Legend by the name of Robson during this decade . Please don't associate in anyway this clown we have now with the great man.

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DifferentClassDougie added 10:35 - Mar 9 I think Bez has been a bit hit and miss this season. Some times solid but also some games will make a couple of mistakes which cost us. On his day can be one of the best CB's in the league, which showed against Leeds when he never let Chris Wood out of his pocket. Would be a shame to see him go as overall he has been very good over the last 2-3 years.
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Bert added 13:03 - Mar 9 With Webster, Smith and Chambers available a move back home is a sensible outcome for both player and club. Berra has been brilliant for us but the last two seasons has exposed his inability to be comfortable on the ball. There is however no need for personal abuse from people on here. No wonder players and club take fans' sites with a pinch of salt.
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