Auston Trusty could arrive at Rangers with a Player of the Season award under his belt with one of Mick Beale’s targets rewarded on the back of an outstanding loan spell at Birmingham City.
Former Ibrox skipper Barry Ferguson wonders if Robby McCrorie’s impressive display in Saturday’s 3-0 Old Firm derby victory over Celtic could save the Gers a ‘huge amount’ of money during the summer transfer window.
It’s tempting to make a similar claim about John Souttar.
The former Hearts defender produced perhaps his finest Rangers performance against Ange Postecoglou’s Champions. Thriving – and scoring – alongside Conor Goldson despite a lack of experience in the left-sided centre-half role.
With Filip Helander out of contract, Souttar could potentially make the position his own if he can stay clear of the sort of injuries which have hampered his recent existence.
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Will Auston Trusty swap Arsenal for Rangers?
According to the Scottish Sun, the £2 million-rated Trusty is high on Mick Beale’s summer radar; the Arsenal-owned stopper shining during a short-term spell in the second tier with Birmingham City.
Labelled a ‘fantastic player’ by Blues boss John Eustace; The Supporters’ Player of the Year gong is a fitting reward for Trusty’s domineering displays at St Andrews.
“It feels extremely special,” the Pennsylvania-born 24-year-old tells the Birmingham website.
“I feel blessed and honoured to get this award and achieve it with a great Club. I’m thankful for the fans getting behind me since day one. I am just really thankful for the chants and support throughout the year.”
Trusty averaged the most successful tackles of any defender in the English Championship in 2022/23, per WhoScored, and a rumoured £2 million fee should keep him within Rangers’ reach.
Whether or not the Glasgow giants opt to step up their interest, however, may rest on whether Beale sees Souttar as a long-term option for the left-sided centre-half role. Or merely a short-term solution in Ben Davies’ injury-enforced absence.