Ross Stewart handed Rangers transfer advice as Alex Rae urges Sunderland striker to maximise Portuguese possibilities

Gio van Bronckhorst will run the rule over his Rangers squad when they fly out to the Algarve to kick-off their pre-season preparations later this month.

And former Ibrox favourite Alex Rae believes the friendly clash with Sunderland planned as the curtain-closer on the sunshine break is the perfect chance for Ross Stewart to prove he measures up as a potential new recruit.

Gers have been heavily linked with the 25-year-old Scotland squad member after an incredible Black Cats campaign.

The former Ross County frontman blasted 26 goals after starting every one of the club’s 49 league and play-off clashes that eventually ended with Alex Neil’s side clinching promotion back to the Championship.

Stewart drew a blank in his four encounters with the Light Blues as a Staggies striker but Rae - a Sunderland legend himself after five successful years on Wearside - is convinced he’s improved during his 18-month stint down south and will show that when the sides meet in southern Portugal on July 9.

He told Record Sport : “This will be a good chance for Gio to get a good look at Ross up close.

“I’m sure they will have already done their homework on him.

“He had a prolific season last year and he’s had a lot of clubs looking at him.

“So I suppose this friendly will be an ideal opportunity to get a proper close-up examination of him against your Connor Goldsons and Calvin Basseys of this world.

“From that point of view, it would be a good test for the lad and, if he is a target for Rangers, a good chance for them to assess his strengths.”

The Sunderland support have christened the towering frontman ‘Loch Ness Drogba’ but Rangers will hope they do not have to fork out a monster fee to bring him back north of the border.

Stewart