Rangers appear to be pressing ahead with their plans to bring in John Souttar this month as talks with Hearts continue to progress.
That’s according to The Edinburgh Evening News, who claim that Rangers have been talking to Hearts officials in the hope of thrashing out a deal.
Hearts are allegedly determined not to sell Souttar on the cheap despite being in a tough position over his future.
Rangers have already struck a pre-contract agreement with Souttar and he will make the move to Ibrox at the end of the season.
That means Rangers may look to sign Souttar for a knockdown fee before he joins for absolutely nothing.
Rangers need depth at the back and Souttar can provide that, so it’s no surprise that the Gers are pushing for an immediate deal.
Rangers have over a week to get that deal done, and their hopes were given another boost on Saturday.
Souttar was left out of the Hearts side to face Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup, with the official line being that he was injured.
That does though mean that Souttar won’t be cup-tied for the Scottish Cup if Rangers can strike a cash deal this month.
Rangers will also be hoping that the alleged injury isn’t anything too serious, especially given Souttar’s history.
The 25-year-old centre back has come back from three achilles tears and is enjoying a fine season for club and country.
Having impressed with Hearts, Souttar then scored for Scotland against Denmark in November in an emotional moment for the defender.
Earning that move to Rangers is another great step for Souttar, and there could be even more great news for him if the Gers can agree a permanent deal this month.
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