Alan Hutton has admitted that Rangers will need to guarantee playing time if they are to lure Ross Stewart from Sunderland this summer. The Scottish side have been linked with a move for Stewart after his 26 goals in 49 league games helped Sunderland win promotion to the Championship via the playoffs.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst has made the 25-year-old his number one target upfront as talks with Colombian frontman Alfredo Morelos stall. They may look to offload the striker this summer while they can still demand a fee and use the money to bring in Stewart, but they must make a decision on that soon before they move for any incomings.
And former Scotland international Hutton admitted that Rangers must give the forward a guarantee of playing time if they are to convince him to cross the border, and he lauded the Black Cats man for his big goals and hold up play.
READ MORE: Rangers in 'contract talks' with Alfredo Morelos amid interest in Sunderland forward
“He’s Scottish, he knows what it’s all about. He can understand what it is to play for Rangers and the pressure that comes with that.” Hutton told Transfer Insider . “Being down south in League One, you have to be robust. You have to be able to deal with everything that goes along with that, it’s a tough league.
“He’s scored some big goals, in the semi-final of the play-offs, he scored in the play-off final to help Sunderland get back to the Championship. He is a number nine for me. He’s a big boy, he can hold the ball up and he knows where the goal is, he’s proven he can score goals. I think he would be a good addition depending on the fee and if Morelos stays or goes.
“He’s going to want to play football because the Championship is a good level. You’re not going to come to Rangers just to sit on the bench.”
Rangers are thought to be facing competition from several Championship clubs for the striker’s signature, however Sunderland are yet to receive any concrete offers. Alex Neil knows he faces a tough task keeping hold of the Scot but will hope the guarantee of playing time and promotion to the Championship could keep him in the North-east.
