Gio van Bronckhorst will run the rule over his Rangers squad when they fly out to the Algarve to kick-off their pre-season preparations later this month.
And former Ibrox favourite Alex Rae believes the friendly clash with Sunderland planned as the curtain-closer on the sunshine break is the perfect chance for Ross Stewart to prove he measures up as a potential new recruit.
Gers have been heavily linked with the 25-year-old Scotland squad member after an incredible Black Cats campaign.
The former Ross County frontman blasted 26 goals after starting every one of the club’s 49 league and play-off clashes that eventually ended with Alex Neil’s side clinching promotion back to the Championship.
Stewart drew a blank in his four encounters with the Light Blues as a Staggies striker but Rae - a Sunderland legend himself after five successful years on Wearside - is convinced he’s improved during his 18-month stint down south and will show that when the sides meet in southern Portugal on July 9.
He told Record Sport : “This will be a good chance for Gio to get a good look at Ross up close.
“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.
“So 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.”
The Sunderland support have christened the towering frontman ‘Loch Ness Drogba’ but Rangers will hope they do not have to fork out a monster fee to bring him back north of the border.
Stewart has just a year remaining on his Stadium of Light deal but Black Cats chiefs reportedly hope he can be persuaded to stay longer and spearhead their assault on the Championship with an offer of a fresh contract that will make him the club’s top earner.
“It will all come down to finance,” added Rae. “He’s coming into the last year of his contract down there and I’m sure that will have a bearing on things.
“What’s probably more important as to whether this deal happens is what happens at Rangers.
“For example, does Alfredo Morelos extend his contract? He’s looking like he’s getting back up to speed after his injury judging by his social media posts of him working out.
“They have to decide what they’re going to do with Kemar Roofe too.
“There’s a few things at play here in relation to who tho go get this summer.
“But I’ve liked big Stewart since his Ross County days. I think he’s got good attributes and we’ve seen him score a variety of goals over the past year in League One.
“He’s been introduced to life at a big club with his Sunderland move. There’s no denying that in terms of the numbers of fans and the expectation to win, especially with them being in League one after four years, there are similarities to Rangers.
“What he’s pitched in to the cause in terms of a really impressive season at that level, shows he’s ready and I’m sure he’ll be looking to kick on again in the Championship or maybe somewhere else.”
The Rangers faithful making their way to the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira will get the chance to make up their own minds later this month.
The 3500-seater venue is just four miles from Reading assistant boss Rae’s summer Algarve retreat but unfortunately the Helicopter Sunday hero will be otherwise engaged back in England as joins Royals boss Paul Ince to prepare their own pre-season camp.
But he insists the home of Portuguese fourth-division outfit Imortal DC will cater for all Gers’ needs.
He said: “The pitch is brilliant, it will be immaculate. There is room for a couple of thousand fans who I’m sure will be out to watch it.
“There’s a small main stand but room for fans to stand round the other three sides. It will be more than adequate.
“I’m sure there will be a load of Rangers fans out holidaying here at that time and a few from Sunderland too, who always bring a big support.
“It should be a great atmosphere and it’s just a shame I can’t be there to see it myself.”
Rae watched Gers reestablish themselves as a major European force with their Europa League run last season.
And he hopes to see his other former side reclaim their place amongst England’s big boys after four years in the wilderness of League One.
“It’s great to see Sunderland heading back in the right direction,” he said.
“The introduction of Alex Neil has been so key. After he got the job, they embarked on this great run and managed to get promoted at long last through the play-offs.
“It brilliant for the club and great for the area too, which needs a boost like this.
“They’ve been down the divisions far too long but I see they’ve already sold 23,000 season tickets, which will go up again once the fixture list comes out.
“There’s talk of another potential takeover but hopefully that doesn’t disrupt things. Stability and a medium-term plan is vital. “The objective should be taking small steps back towards the Premier League, which is where a club of its size should be.
“But you never know, I’ve seen it before where teams get promoted one year then manage to repeat it the next. Fingers crossed that’s what happens for my old side this year and wee see them back in the top division soon.”
