Michael Stewart drops transfer suggestion as Rangers-bound John Souttar is substituted off for Hearts
Michael Stewart feels there may be an ulterior motive for John Souttar being substituted off at half-time for Hearts amid speculation of a late January swoop by Rangers.
Souttar, 25, has already agreed to join the Gers in the summer after a pre-contract deal was sanctioned.
However, the centre-back could still head to Ibrox before the transfer deadline passes on Monday night with The Scotsman reporting that the Light Blues are expected to make a move.
Souttar was substituted off as Hearts won 2-0 against Motherwell at Tynecastle on Saturday and Stewart has suggested there could be something behind that.
“Because of the fact he’s signed a pre-contract with Rangers, and they are reportedly making an offer to try and get him in January, it just adds a little speculation and doubt into what’s happened,” said Stewart on BBC Sportscene on Saturday, as quoted by the Scotsman, as Souttar was substituted off.
Get it done
Rangers shipped three goals against Ross County on Saturday as they lost more ground to Celtic in the race for the Scottish Premiership title.
Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun are both out of contract in the summer, Calvin Bassey is being played out of position, Jack Simpson is nowhere near good enough and Nikola Katic looks to be out of the picture due to being out on loan. Filip Helander has been injured for ages too.
Souttar has been great for Hearts this season and could be a massive upgrade on all of those centre-back options.
We really need to sort out the centre-back area because it’s going to be in need of a massive overhaul in the summer.
Only Bassey, who isn’t really a centre-back, and Helander, who’s spent most of this season injured, are going to be our only two options so it makes sense to get Souttar in right now so he can get up to speed.
He can also help out straight away and we know that we’ll get 110 per cent from a player who’ll be keen to prove he’s good enough for us.
In other Rangers news, there’s been a multi-million update on the Gers’ pursuit of this attacker before the deadline.