Sunderland heading for big disaster over "unbelievable" £5m gem, Neil will be scared - opinion

League One play-off finalists Sunderland face a summer battle to keep their Scottish sensation known as the “Loch Ness Drogba”.

As reported previously, Rangers are said to be “keeping tabs” on Stewart, who has had the most prosperous season of his life in what is his first full season in England’s third division.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke, revealed the latest last week when speaking to GIVEMESPORT, saying: “It looks like he’s obviously on their wanted list, Ross Stewart. It’s been talked about now for quite a few weeks that Rangers are keeping tabs on him.

“If Rangers do come calling, it’s going to be hard for somebody like Ross Stewart – a Scottish player – to turn down their advances.”

Stewart, whose goal against Sheffield Wednesday in the play-offs set off a “jumbo jet” in the words of Luke Edwards, has been an integral part in the Black Cats’ journey to the League One play-off final this season and has asserted himself as the second-highest goalscorer in the league, having notched 25 goals in 48 appearances for Alex Neil’s side.

At 25-years-old, he has finally had his breakout season and it has benefited Sunderland no-end. To the point where his presence in the squad is truly felt and if he was to leave, amidst the reported interest from Rangers, it would represent somewhat of a summer disaster for the Tyneside outfit.

The Scot, who could cost any suitor around £5m, has been so integral to Sunderland’s season that if he had not featured, they would go from League One’s third-highest goalscorers with 81 goals scored (just one goal behind both Oxford and Wigan who are tied in first place) to the sixteenth highest scorers with 56 goals scored.

With that in mind, it’s hardly surprising that his efforts have been dubbed