Northern Ireland legend Gareth McAuley has encouraged former club Rangers to make their move for “hell of a player” Pierce Charles this summer – predicting “they’d have a massive sellable asset on their hands”.

Charles worked under current Ibrox chief Danny Rohl during their time together at Sheffield Wednesday and with the Owls suffering a drop to League One ahead of next season, it’s expected the 20-year-old will have a host of interested clubs chasing his signature.

The 20-year-old has impressed at both club and international level, establishing his spot as Northern Ireland’s number one.

Charles missed the entirety of his country’s World Cup qualifying group campaign due to a shoulder injury but returned for last month’s play-off semi-final defeat to Italy in Bergamo.

placeholder image — Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

Premier League giants Manchester City – Charles came through their youth ranks – and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to make a move for Charles, as are Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg, who are owned by BlueCo, the same company as Chelsea.

McAuley has worked with Charles in his role as Northern Ireland U19 manager and also understands the demands of playing for Rangers having finished his playing career at Ibrox.

“I had Pierce with the Northern Ireland Under-19’s,” he told Daily Record. "He gives the game a completely different dimension.

“People have said to me he’s too small. But I say he’s not because he’s so agile.

“He’s got such quick feet that he gets around the goal. And his distribution is just on a different level.

“He’s a really top player and if Rangers could get him they’d have a massive sellable asset on their hands.

“He’d play more games, get exposure in Europe, so a move there would be great for both parties.

“To me, Rangers is the top club in the world. But if Pierce stays injury-free, I can see this kid, with his temperament, becoming a goalkeeper worth a hell of a lot of money who plays in some of the world's biggest games.

“He’s that good. I don’t like putting pressure on young players but he’s such a level-headed boy, it won’t faze him.

“He’s now in our full national side and he’s a hell of a player.”

Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen has expressed a desire to retain Charles as the Yorkshire club look to rebuild in England’s third-tier next season.

Charles hit the headlines earlier this month after making 11 saves in a 1-1 draw against Leicester City and following a stunning display, Pedersen predicted big things for the Northern Ireland star.

"He is a fantastic goalkeeper,” he said. “Normally we speak about Pierce being top with his feet, today how also showed how mentally strong he is and how strong he is defensively. Top performance from him.

"I think there's nobody that has doubt for his potential. He has a big, big future, that's why we are really, really proud and really happy that he's a part of Sheffield Wednesday.

"We will do everything we can to keep him for the future."