Rangers get boost in chase to sign John Souttar in January
Rangers have been handed a boost in their hunt to bring John Souttar to the club in January with Hearts admitting they have a ‘decision to make’.
Rangers confirmed the signing of defender Souttar on a pre-contract agreement from the summer, when his contract with the Tynecastle club expires.
After it was reported to ‘expect‘ a Rangers bid [Barry Anderson] to bring him in this month, Hearts warned that it would take a ‘significant and satisfactory‘ offer to convince them to part ways this month.
But Hearts manager Robbie Neilson has admitted [Scottish Sun] that ‘if and when’ an offer for Souttar arrives this month, the club will have ‘a decision to make’.
“John has signed a pre-contract, but there has been no offer for him, so there isn’t a decision to be made at this moment.
“If and when an offer comes in, then there’s a decision to make. At this point, John has signed a pre-contract and will stay here until the summer.
“He will be utilised as best we can to make sure we perform as best we can and get into Europe.”
Ball in their court
It seems as though the leverage of this deal has swung in Rangers’ favour with these comments, with Hearts now publicly being open to a deal.
Rangers obviously want to get a deal done this month as he would boost their squad in their hunt for the title, but there is no rush on their side and they won’t pay over the odds.
Souttar reportedly wants the move this month too which will affect Hearts’ thinking, and it seems now that there is space for a deal to be done between the clubs.
Van Bronckhorst kept his cards close to his chest in a press conference on Monday [Jan 17th] and it may have been a tactic that worked.
The ball is now in Rangers’ court to make an offer and open the way for negotiations, but expect Souttar to be a Rangers player before the window shuts.
In other Rangers news, View: GvB drops major John Souttar hint as permanent Rangers January move targeted