Rangers are still debating whether to make a move to land John Souttar this month after agreeing a pre-contract deal with the Hearts star.
Jambos chiefs have reacted to the bombshell news by insisting they will not be letting the Scotland defender go on the cheap.
Gers have beaten off competition from English Championship clubs to land Souttar when his deal expires this summer, although a switch this month still remains a possibility.
Souttar spent Friday in Glasgow undergoing a medical before being welcomed to Rangers by sporting director Ross Wilson, who said: “We are really looking forward to John joining Rangers and continuing his development under Gio, plus our coaching and support staff.
“John has so much potential ahead for the coming years. I can see how excited he and his family are to be joining Rangers. We are equally excited to welcome John to Ibrox.”
Blackburn and Sheffield United wanted Souttar but Rangers persuaded him to remain in Scotland.
Hearts boss Robbie Neilson and the Tynecastle hierarchy now face a difficult decision on whether to insist Souttar sees out the remaining five months of his Jambos deal or to cash in now.
Neilson has European ambitions of his own and made it clear he needs Souttar to boost Hearts’ bid for third place, insisting it would take a “crazy bid” for the capital club to consider selling this month.
The Hearts board have doubled down on that message, saying in a statement: “The club reiterates that John is an important member of the squad and will remain so until the end of the season unless a significant and satisfactory offer is made during the January transfer window.”
Gers have defensive concerns with Leon Balogun and Filip Helander out injured while Connor Goldson is also free to discuss terms on a move away.
