Neil tips Ross to deliver for Cats
RANGERS target Ross Stewart has been backed to stay with Sunderland and deliver Championship goals.
The Scotland international scored 26 in 53 games last season and helped the club to promotion.
Boss Alex Neil says the £15million man is set to be rewarded with a new contract after attracting interest from the Glasgow giants.
Stewart, 26, is on a rapid rise to the top and Neil said: “When you’ve got good players that have done well, they deserve to be rewarded.
“In terms of his contract, I’m pretty sure that something will get resolved.
“We’re eager for Ross to stay, so I don’t see there being any issue with that. Ross is happy, I spoke to him the other day, and he’s content with where he is. He’s just looking forward to the season.
“I’m never worried about players and their futures. When you’ve got good players who do well, there is naturally speculation. It would be more of a concern if there wasn’t.
“But Ross is happy here, he’s rated here and he’s a big part of what we are doing.
“If we can get this place going, why would you want to go anywhere else?
“Look at what we’ve got with the fanbase, stadium and facilities…everything is here to take us to the next level, it’s just how quickly we can get there.
“If he can replicate 26 goals at Championship level it would be an incredible achievement – there are not many strikers capable of that.
“Equally, we need to create enough chances for Ross to get his goals. He was phenomenal last season and he will rightly be looking forward to this year.”
The Black Cats open their campaign at home to Coventry this afternoon and Neil added: “I don’t have any worries individually about any of my players, I think each of them will go and attack the season.”