Rangers will sign Souttar for ‘nothing’ this month after update in last 48 hours – pundit
Paddy Kenny expects John Souttar will arrive at Ibrox before the end of the month with Rangers set to pay “nothing”.
The former Leeds United stopper, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, can’t see why the Gers would wait until the end of the season to strengthen their defence.
Rangers announced the pre-contract signing of Souttar, 25, on 14 January.
Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, as quoted by the Daily Record on Thursday (20 January), has refused to rule out Souttar joining before the end of the month.
As reported by the Scottish Sun reported on Monday night (17 January), Hearts are demanding a £500,000 fee for the Light Blues to sign the centre-back this month, with manager Robbie Neilson admitting a deal could be done.
Kenny expects the club will stump up the “nothing” fee Hearts are demanding.
“How much? £500,000? That will get done. That’s nothing in this day and age,” Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“I know the finances are a bit different up in Scotland but you are looking at a quality centre-back.
“You can pay less than £1million and have him come in straight away, it’s a no brainer.
“He makes that defence better and is a genuine, quality option for the manager.
“I would have shaken hands on that deal as soon as I heard it was £500,000.
“Surely that will happen, it would make no sense if Rangers didn’t take that option, put it that way.”
The centre-back has been a mainstay for Hearts this season, with 23 appearances under his belt so far.
He also returned to the Scotland setup in the last months of 2021, earning his fourth cap.
In other news, Rangers exit tipped for this month after source’s update.