RANGERS boss Steven Gerrard is closing in on a move for Aberdeen forward Greg Stewart. And he could add further Premiership experience to his squad as the Gers eye deals for John Souttar and Jake Hastie.
Gerrard completed a pre-contract agreement with Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones during the January window and the Northern Irishman could now be reunited with his former Rugby Park team-mate.
Stewart cut short his Killie spell to return to Aberdeen in January but Rangers are now on the verge of bringing him to Ibrox on a free when his Birmingham contract expires.
The 29-year-old has scored nine goals - including the equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Ibrox in October - so far this term but has struggled for form since rejoining the Dons.
Boss Gerrard is keen to add firepower to his squad ahead of a second crack at the Premiership title and a move for Motherwell kid Hastie could now be back on the cards.
Rangers became frustrated in their pursuit of Hastie earlier this month as talks dragged on and it appeared as though the deal was dead.
READ MORE: Rangers must prove points as well as earn them in remaining battles against Premiership's top teams
Hastie has attracted interest from Major League Soccer side Atlanta United but his Gers switch could now be rekindled as he prepares to leave Fir Park at the end of the season.
Moves for Stewart and Hastie would give Gerrard further options in the final third but defensive cover is also being sought this summer and Hearts stopper Souttar has emerged as a potential recruit.
The Jambos could demand around £2million this summer and Rangers have yet to test their resolve after identifying the highly-rated 22-year-old as a signing target.
Gerrard is keen to add further strength and depth to his Ibrox ranks this summer and midfielder Scott Arfield is confident the Gers are on track in their pursuit of silverware.
“We have got players in here, we had a large turnover at the start of the season, and even in January with a couple of players coming in, it takes time for it all to cement,” he said. “To get a trophy this year probably would have been a bonus with the amount of players that came in and out, but next season we are definitely there for this.
“The enthusiasm is there. And it has to be, because you are representing millions of people around the planet that support this football club.
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“That is why it is so important for the last five games, the two previous and the next five coming, to really go at it and to set us up for next year.
“We are in a good position at the minute and it is up to us to make it into a great one.
“People are going to talk about how many points Celtic have won the league by this year, but I think it’s very evident in the last two games, particularly the one at Parkhead, that the mentality was there.
“It was a mistake for us from a personal point of view and, if that mistake doesn’t happen, we dominated that game for large periods.
“And the game at Ibrox, which we dominated for the full 90 minutes, duly shows that we’re on course for something here.
“The fact of the matter is we came away with no trophies this season, which is a disappointment for this club. When you come through these doors you need to win trophies and that’s how you’re going to be judged.
“I’ve got a four-year contract, three left after this, and people can judge me at the end of that, but I know I’ll have some trophies.”
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