Bobby Clark transfer hurdle that Rangers couldn't clear before deadline after his dad sparks Salzburg civil war

The 19-year-old was in demand before the window closed just six months after leaving Liverpool for Austria

Red Bull Salzburg reportedly pulled the plug on a loan exit for Bobby Clark amid interest from Rangers.

The 19-year-old left Liverpool behind last summer in a £6million move to Austria to work under former Anfield assistant manager Pep Lijnders - but it hasn't worked out for the prospect who has been sidelined since his Reds' mentor was replaced by Thomas Letsch. Clark has started just two of Salzburg's last 10 games, one of which he was substituted at half-time.

In Salzburg's defeat to LASK last Sunday, the playmaker was left out of the squad sparked a heated response from his dad Lee - the former Kilmarnock boss and Newcastle United legend. In a now-deleted social media post he criticised Letsch, stating: "Embarrassing - you've turned this club into a laughing stock. The new coach has no idea."

Clark Jr would pile into the bubbling row as he shared a picture of himself wearing the club tracksuit in black and white - cutting a lonely figure after being frozen out. It appeared that a deadline day move was on the cards amid the fallout - with Kicker reporting that Rangers were joined by Derby County and Swansea City in the race for a deal.

Wales Online note that it appeared Swansea had won the signing race with a temporary deal "initially agreed by his current club." But reports suggest that the pull was plugged on any deal by Salzburg after they failed to add another midfielder before the window was closed.

It is said the failure to offload Clark capped off a "disastrous" deadline day for the Austrian side. However, Letsch "stepped in" to halt a deal amid concerns over squad depth.