Alex Rae suggests perfect chance for Ross Stewart to impress Rangers
Rangers will play a friendly against Sunderland as a part of their pre-season trip to the Algarve, the club have confirmed on their official website on Wednesday (8 June).
BT Sport pundit Alex Rae has suggested that the friendly will provide the perfect opportunity for Sunderland striker Ross Stewart to show his talent.
The Bears are interested in signing the 25-year-old striker, with the Daily Record reporting on 27 May that Sunderland look to fend off potential suitors.
“This will be a good chance for Gio to get a good look at Ross up close,” said Rae, as quoted by the Daily Record (9 June, page 44).
“I’m sure they will have already done their homework on him. He had a prolific season last year and he’s had a lot of clubs looking at him.
“I suppose this friendly will be an ideal opportunity to get a proper close-up examination of him against your Connor Goldsons and Calvin Basseys of this world.
“From that point of view, it would be a good test for the lad and, if he is a target for Rangers, a good chance for them to assess his strengths.”
Replacement for Morelos?
Stewart has enjoyed a fantastic 2021-22 campaign where he scored 26 goals for the club.
What has been really amazing is that he kept his fitness intact throughout the season, and started in every one of the club’s 49 League One and play-off clashes, which resulted in Alex Neil’s side clinching promotion.
He has one more year left on his deal at the Stadium of Lights and could be interested in switching to Ibrox if there’s a good offer on the table.
Rangers will have definitely scouted him heavily last season, but they will have a good opportunity to assess him closely during the friendly meeting.
Sunderland will try their best to keep hold of their star player, but in the end, money speaks. There’s a business side to the game, and every player has a price.
If the Bears offload Alfredo Morelos, who has only a year left on his deal, they can look to replace him by signing Stewart.
In other Rangers news, this goalkeeper has been tipped by Sky Sports to be the new first-choice at Ibrox.