EPL boss 'gutted' as striker Rangers watched limps off, 9 games in two seasons
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Rangers will always be linked with a lot of potential targets with in-form home grown players in particular always near the top of the fabled shopping lists.
One of the problems of recent years is that the most talented Scots tend to be in the Premier League where even average footballers can go for eight-figure sums.
One such player is Ross Stewart who signed for Southampton last summer only to get injured and only play nine times for the south coast club with his first start for the club not ending any better, via The Daily Echo.
- READ MORE:Rangers Net Transfer Spend Summer 2024
Former Rangers target Ross Stewart hit by injury jinx again
Rangers were reported to be watching Stewart when he was scoring goals for fun in League One before hitting the ground running in the Championship as his contract ticked down.
Unfortunately, a £10m valuation saw then Ibrox outfit priced out of the market and the Saints made their move.
Stewart's last goal came in early 2023 and has missed nearly 70 games in two seasons.
Rangers have had a big enough problem with Danilo, at least he couldn't do anything about his fractured cheekbone or torn lateral collateral ligament caused by a collision.
Stewart, on the other hand, just can't stay fit, but Southampton manager Russell Martin has backed the Scotland international to come good:
“He’s got a muscle injury, so we’ll scan that tomorrow. I am absolutely gutted for him, he’s worked so hard to come back.
“We are honestly so disappointed for him. Everyone is. We just have to see how bad it is and then I know he’ll attack it in the same way he does everything.
“It’s hard for him to deal with but he has a huge resilience and character, so we’ll have to go again and see how long he’s going to be.
“I don’t think any of us will understand the level of frustration, hurt and pain he’ll feel right now.
“I just don’t think it’s ever easy. A footballer’s journey is never easy, whatever age you are. They have to have a certain level of resilience just to make it this far.
“His journey’s not been easy either, in the lower leagues and up in Scotland. So, yeah, we will help him, we will support him.
“Our job is to help these players, especially the young guys and the guys who have not been here long, on their journey. We’ll continue to try and do that.”
Rangers missed the boat to sign Stewart
Ross Stewart had a five year spell after working his way up to the Scottish Premiership where he was a prolific goal scorer.
When he left the Staggies, that is when Rangers should have made their move.
As with Connor Barron, there is always an element of the unknown when local talent is signed.
When it comes off, they can be deals that work out well for the club.
Even for someone like Scott Wright, who never really hit the heights needed to hold down a place, he still managed to make a positive impact in a couple of big games.
The small fee paid for Wright meant that there was nothing really lost, he was worth the punt.
Stewart on a free could have provided back up to Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe.
For once, Rangers made the right decision not splashing out on Stewart when he was at Sunderland.
