Are Sunderland transforming from a club everyone can’t wait to leave into a club everyone wants to join?
That may be a step too far but, after years of disappointment, of successive relegations, of failed promotions and yet more Wembley woe, things are looking up at last at the Stadium of Light.
Lee Johnson is shaping up to be exactly the kind of youthful, forward-thinking coach Sunderland have been crying out for, giving the Black Cats direction, an identity and a real sense of togetherness.
Under Johnson’s stewardship, the sleeping giants are starting to stir from their slumber, winning eight of their last nine games to move within five points of the League One summit. Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers in the Papa John’s Trophy final, meanwhile, felt like a real turning point, the dawn of a new era.
So who could blame Scott Tanser if he wants to come along for the ride?
The Northern Echo report that Sunderland are keen to bring in the 26-year-old left-back as competition for Denver Hume.
And, speaking to the Courier on Wednesday, St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson confirmed that Tanser will be on his way out of McDiarmid Park with his contract expiring in July.
“I think so,” Davidson said when asked if the former Rochdale defender was leaving. “It’s looking less and less likely in our favour.
“We’ve tried our best to keep him but at the moment he’s not given us any positive signs that he wants to stay.”
Tanser will be missed, that’s for sure.
But the chance the play a key role in the reawakening of one of Britain’s biggest footballing institutions is not an opportunity that comes around often.
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