Rangers fans have praised fringe player Greg Stewart for an impressive surprise cameo in Saturday’s 3-0 win over St Mirren at Ibrox.
Stewart joined the Gers on a free transfer in the summer of 2019 and was regularly deployed as a substitute last season, racking up 25 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and notching five assists.
Steven Gerrard strengthened his squad yet further in the summer of 2020, though, and the 30-year-old has found playing time much more difficult to come by this season.
Prior to Rangers’ clash with St Mirren on Saturday afternoon, he’d made just four appearances in all competitions, playing a total of 113 minutes.
Therefore, it was a surprise to see him brought on for the first time in a Premiership fixture since August, as an 81st-minute substitute for Ryan Kent.
After going so long without a competitive appearance, it would have been understandable if Stewart had been rusty and off the pace.
He was anything but, though, and looked determined to make a contribution.
The lifelong bluenose worked hard, looked sharp on the ball and was unfortunate not to bag an assist or two after creating chances for Jermain Defoe.
Stewart has remained professional despite being very much on the fringes of the squad for the majority of the season and he may well be rewarded with more playing time now that the title has been all but secured.
Plenty of supporters were impressed by his cameo and took to Twitter with praise.
Here’s a selection of reactions:
https://twitter.com/chr1sbett/status/1368295286188163081
Rangers fans were also delighted by footage of one of Stewart’s teammates starting a chant with supporters gathered outside Ibrox after the game.
