Kevin Phillips has told the Sunderland hierarchy tying Ross Stewart down to a new contract should be a priority after helping the Black Cats gain promotion to the Championship. The Scot was the club's top goalscorer last season and scored the second goal in the play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers.
Stewart has been a stellar addition to the Sunderland squad since arriving from Ross County in January last year. He's continued his remarkable journey up the football league and could make his international debut for Scotland in the coming weeks.
Nonetheless, his fine form has not gone unnoticed. Middlesbrough, Rangers and QPR are among the clubs interested in signing the 25-year-old who is entering the final 12 months of his contract on Wearside. Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman revealed that the club were in talks over a new deal for the striker last week.
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Phillips told the Sunderland Echo: “I think the priority is to get him tied down on a long-term deal. He’s been outstanding this season and for me he’s got everything. He can run, he can hold it up, he can score goals, he can head it.
“Technically he’s very good as well and his work rate is excellent so he’s certainly a player that Sunderland need to get tied down.” The Black Cats legend also believed the club should be looking at improving Alex Neil's contract, despite Speakman saying both parties were happy with the terms.
The head coach was appointed on a 12-month rolling contract, but Phillips claims they need to tie him down for longer. He added: “He’s done a fantastic job so get him tied down as well.
“The club is moving forward, they are in the Championship now so they are the sort of people they need at the football club. His record when he went in was just phenomenal and he tweaked a few things.
“When you listen to him in his interviews and speak to him he’s very calm and knows what he’s doing. You can see that in the way Sunderland played under him and every player knew their job and they did it to the maximum of their capacity, that comes from the manager and his staff. I know the players really enjoy playing for him.”
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Phillips was a pundit on Sky Sports as the Black Cats brushed Wycombe Wanderer's aside at Wembley just under a fortnight ago. Now in charge of South Shields, he knows exactly what it means to the local area seeing Sunderland back in the second tier.
He said:“I was there. I was celebrating with the players afterwards as well at the team hotel I have clearly still got an affiliation with the football club and now living in the area I know what it means for the football club.
“Everyone concerned was buzzing and they thoroughly deserved it on the day and they have deserved the two play-off games as well where I thought they were the best team. I’m delighted for them that they are back in the Championship at last.”
