Steven Gerrard’s Rangers reportedly want to raid Scottish Premiership rivals Hearts again for defender John Souttar.
Kyle Lafferty could be set for a reunion with John Souttar if Rangers get their way.
One half of Hearts’ highly-rated defensive duo emerged as a target for the Glasgow giants over the weekend, with the Daily Record claiming that Rangers’ director of football Mark Allen has identified the 22-year-old as a key summer target.
Standing at 6ft 2ins and renowned for his excellent range of passing, Souttar would undoubtedly improve a back line that will be weakened by the seemingly inevitable departures of Joe Worrall and Gareth McAuley.
And Rangers’ pursuit of Souttar is likely to be given plenty of backing from his former Hearts teammate Lafferty.
“John Souttar has been incredible,” Lafferty said about the young centre-back in October 2017, as reported by the Scottish Sun.
“The guy is 21 years of age and I’ve just turned 30. But he’s taken me under his wing when it should really be the other way about.
“He takes time out to say he’s there for me. To know someone for just three or so months but to hear that is mind-blowing.”
Clearly, Souttar is not just a talented prospect on the pitch but a refreshingly mature personality off it too, a combination that certainly bodes well for a player who could walk into Rangers’ starting XI on the back of his performances this season.
The Express reports that Rangers will have to pay at least £1 million to lure Souttar away from Tynecastle. But solving Steven Gerrard’s defensive worries would be absolutely priceless with a long-awaited Premiership title in the Gers’ sights.
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