Rangers appear to be winning the race for centre-back John Souttar.
Veteran striker Jermain Defoe has decided to call time at Ibrox after a three-year stay, insisting they’ll always hold a special place in his heart.
But as the 39-year-old ex-England hitman heads out, Hearts defender Souttar is edging towards a switch to the Light Blues. Defoe fulfilled a career-long ambition in May as he claimed his first ever winners’ medal having helped Steven Gerrard’s team to last year’s league title.
But he has found action harder to come by this term and has registered just two appearances totalling only nine minutes all season. Defoe – who departs having netted 32 goals in 74 appearances – posted a heartfelt tribute to the club on social media.
He said: “From the moment I arrived at Ibrox in January 2019, I was blown away by the sheer magnitude of Rangers Football Club. There are so many people to thank. From team-mates, coaches and staff, to the fans who have given me so much love and support from the very first day.
“Winning my first ever league title last season was one of my career highlights, and making it 55 title wins at this football club makes it even more special. A season I’ll simply never forget and memories I’ll cherish forever.
“ Rangers Football Club will forever hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for everything, and good luck for the rest of the season.”
Defoe’s place in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s squad will go to Cedric Itten, who has been recalled from a loan stint at German outfit Greuther Furth.
Souttar is likely to join Swiss striker Itten as Rangers appear to have edged ahead of Blackburn and Sheffield United in the fight for the defender. The champions have made a strong pitch and the Scotland star is now considering all his options.
Ibrox and a possible crack at the Champions League is very much in his thinking.
Souttar, 25, travelled south for talks and to discuss pre-contract offers from Blackburn and Nottingham Forest last week. He had initially favoured a move to England, like his brother, Harry, who has impressed at Stoke.
The Hearts ace is now coming round to the idea of staying in Scotland with the added incentive of possible Champions League football next season.
