By George Overhill

2nd May, 2023 | 12:10pm

Rangers transfer update in chase for Hearts teenager Gus Stevenson amid Southampton and Manchester City interest

Rangers are after another teenage talent from Hearts after missing out on James Wilson, but the pursuit of Gus Stevenson may go the same way, the Daily Mail reports.

The Light Blues were in a crowded field for 16-year-old forward Wilson along with Celtic, Leeds and Aston Villa, before the apparently exit-bound youngster signed a new deal at Tynecastle on Friday (28 April).

Now there is also Ibrox interest in bringing his midfield age-mate to Glasgow, amid similar intentions from Manchester City and Southampton, but indications are that all three will be left disappointed once more.

Simon Jones writes in his Daily Mail Transfer Confidential: “It seems sporting director Joe Savage may yet pull off another coup by persuading Hearts’ highly-rated young midfielder Gus Stevenson to stay also. 

“Premier League leaders Manchester City have taken a keen interest in Stevenson, as have Southampton and Rangers, but the indications are that the 16-year-old will commit to Hearts in the coming weeks.”

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The Jambos are going to start getting approaches for Savage himself if he keeps this up, as it will be a double coup to fight off interested from big clubs twice in succession.

At least it probably shouldn’t be a cause for concern over a reduced standing in Scottish football for Rangers if even Manchester City can’t tempt Stevenson away from Edinburgh.

But with Michael Beale in need of a major overhaul in the first team currently amid a relative lack of emerging youngsters it is necessary for the club to recruit talent for the future wherever they can.

Billy Gilmour famously departed Rangers for Chelsea in exactly the situation Stevenson is apparently set to forego advances from elsewhere.

The now-Brighton midfielder has been tipped for a potential Ibrox return after a difficult time at the Amex, with Beale trailing a massive rebuild following defeat to Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi final on Sunday (30 April).

But it doesn’t look like one for the long-term is going to be arriving in Stevenson, just as Wilson wasn’t secured, so the academy talent spotters will have to go back to the drawing board.

In other Rangers news, the “rebuild budget” at Ibrox will be helped by “lavish” millions according to Tom English.