Rangers have ‘made a move’ to sign John Souttar on bosman – report
Rangers have ‘made a move’ to sign John Souttar on a free transfer at the end of the season ahead of Championship competition, according to Glasgow Times journalist Chris Jack.
The Hearts defender has entered the final six months of his contract at Tynecastle and has attracted interest from the likes of Stoke, Blackburn [Daily Record], Sheffield United and Rangers.
But after the departure of Nathan Patterson to Everton this week and the arrival of James Sands from New York City FC yesterday (Wednesday), Giovanni van Bronckhorst wants to add a defender to his squad in the long-term.
According to Glasgow Times, doubts around the future of Jack Simpson, Connor Goldson, Leon Balogun and Niko Katic have sparked the club’s interest in 25-year-old Souttar.
He has been identified as a ‘key bosman target’ and Rangers are hopeful of convincing him to turn down a move to England.
Early moves
Rangers making early moves for the summer is a positive sign and shows that they club are forward thinking for the future already.
Van Bronckhorst has had an excellent start to his Ibrox career and brought stability once again, while also keeping up the quality of performance to put them on track for a second successive Scottish Premiership title.
Souttar has earned four Scotland caps since 2018 but he has been in great form this season for Hearts which has seen him earn a recall in 2021 and score for his country.
He has three goals in the league this season and has shown an improvement to his game, with his reading of danger and aerial ability already strong.
He would bring some leadership to the backline and add youth to the team, while also presenting a bargain of a free transfer. It seems like a good deal for all parties, and it’s down to Rangers to convince him of that.
In other Rangers news, ‘Sensational’ star’s release clause revealed ahead of potential January departure from Ibrox.