Up until a fortnight ago, the thinking behind Rangers signing Greg Stewart was unclear.
He had featured sparingly for the first team over his first few months with the club, only really starting games of little consequence or coming on in those where wins had already been secured [Soccerbase].
It seemed like there was no great faith that he was capable of strengthening this Gers side. More than that, it wasn’t clear where he fitted in any time he featured.
Yet, all that has changed since his maiden league start against Aberdeen.
The £450k-rated attacker [Transfermarkt] starred against his old club. Roaming around on the outskirts of the box looking to link up, to thread passes and to get shots off, he was a constant menace for the Dons defenders, scoring once, hitting the post and winning a penalty. On another day he could have scored three or four.
Away at Young Boys a few days later, he was afforded half an hour off the bench as a replacement for Ryan Jack. He didn’t look quite as at ease in what was a higher tempo European game, yet there were still encouraging flashes.
Then, against Hamilton at the weekend, he proved definitively that the Aberdeen display was no flash in the pan. He was perhaps outshone a little by the likes of Jermain Defoe, Borna Barisic and Connor Goldson this time, who all got themselves on the scoresheet.
Yet, he was effective again in his advanced role and produced a superb through ball to set up Defoe’s first. It was that early goal that set the Gers on their way and consequently, it was the most important of the lot.
Stewart won’t play every week. Against higher calibre opposition, he’s less likely to start, especially away from home.
Yet, in recent weeks, he’s proven that he legitimately has the ability to be a match-winner for this Rangers team.
Many, including ourselves, questioned the sense behind bringing the 29-year-old to Ibrox, but now, it’s clear that he brings a viable extra attacking option and crucially, additional quality in the final third.
