The Northern Echo say Rangers have joined the race to sign Ross Stewart – after a magnificent 21-22 campaign. A player, that earned praise from Celtic icon Aiden McGeady this season, ahead of a potential move to Ibrox.
Stewart, 25, joined Sunderland in January 2021 for a six-figure fee from Ross County and has not looked back. While his first six months were a bit tricky, scoring three in 12 games, this season he has been in superb form.
Playing 45 times already, the ex-Celtic academy player has netted a huge 22 goals. It has seen him called up to the Scotland squad by Steve Clarke this season, as Sunderland look to cling on to a place in the play-offs.
Of course, promotion to the Championship might see Stewart ignore a move – but with his contract ending in 2023, Rangers could swoop. Speaking in September, McGeady was full of praise for the possible Ibrox signing.
“Charlie [Wyke] is probably more of a poacher than Rosco, whereas Rosco is quick and he works really hard – I’m not saying Charlie didn’t work hard, but they are different types of strikers,” McGeady told the Chronicle.
“The pressure was on Ross this season to replace the goals of Charlie. So far he’s done that and we can’t really ask anymore of him. Ideally it would be great if he could get 15-20 goals, which I think he can do.”
McGeady on Stewart: Rangers would be a brilliant move for striker
Alfredo Morelos could be off this summer with the Colombian in a similar situation to Stewart – about to enter the final 12 months of his contract. Kemar Roofe and Fashion Sakala are good replacements, yet inconsistent.
Having a proper no.9 in Stewart, one that fits into Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s way of playing – quick, hard-working – would see Stewart thrive. The question is, would he get the necessary game time to show that?
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