Daniel Feliciano

Thu 27 January 2022 21:10, UK

Rangers have been told the price to sign John Souttar in January has increased after Hearts suffered a defensive injury against Celtic in midweek.

Souttar has already agreed a pre-contract with Rangers and will move to Ibrox in the summer, but both Rangers and the player were keen to see a move happen this month instead [Daily Record].

Hearts have played hardball since the announcement was made, stating that it would need to be a ‘significant and satisfactory‘ bid to take Souttar away from Tynecastle this month. They already rejected a £300,000 bid for the player from Rangers [Scottish Sun].

Now though, manager Robbie Neilson has confirmed [Daily Record] that the price has gone up after Craig Halkett suffered a hamstring injury and was forced off in the team’s 2-1 defeat to Celtic on Wednesday.

“Craig Halkett has a hamstring problem and Taylor Moore is out and it’s going to take a big bid to take John, that’s for sure, because we don’t have anybody else at the moment.

“It’s got to (increase the price tag). We play against Motherwell on Saturday and then we have the derby and have Rangers away.”

Priorities

Rangers have already wrapped up the signing of Souttar for their squad next season and it isn’t a necessity to bring him in midway through this season.

If the price is increasing, then it’s probably best for them to wait until the summer.

Defensively they’re strong enough to deal without him, with captain Connor Goldson showing no signs of downing tools while his future is up in the air.

With Ianis Hagi out for the season with a knee injury, the club have prioritised bringing in his replacement in Amad Diallo from Manchester United on loan, so it’s possible their budget has taken a hit.

If a deal can be done then it’s great news, but ultimately there is no pressure on Rangers to get it done in the final days of the window so they shouldn’t panic.

In other Rangers news, Brian Laudrup says Rangers have Old Firm advantage after latest developments