Kris Boyd expects Jones and Stewart to be big hits at Rangers

Kris Boyd has played with Jordan Jones and Greg Stewart, and believes both can be major players for Rangers in the new campaign.

Jones was signed from Kilmarnock by Steven Gerrard on a pre-contract agreement back in January.

Stewart, who had loan spells at Aberdeen and Killie last season, is expected to join Jones at Ibrox shortly.

He will also not cost the Light Blues a penny as his contract will be up at Birmingham City.

Gerrard and the Ibrox recruitment staff are still working to bring in more players, and one they hope to have on board again is Ryan Kent from Liverpool.

He was first-class during his 12-month loan spell. But other clubs are ready to pounce with offers in the region of £9 million, and that may see the Anfield outfit cash in.

Boyd thinks Kent would be an asset at any club, but is sure that Jones and Stewart can combine to banish the memory of the Englishman, should he not return to Glasgow.

The Rugby Park striker told The Sunday Post: “Jordan is a very good player. He operates down the left-hand side but is right-footed, so when he cuts inside, the whole goal opens up.

“But he is equally as comfortable going down the outside.

“Being able to do both in such good measure makes him a nightmare for defenders.

“He has the ability and mentality to cope with playing for Rangers, I’ve no doubt about that.

“What he does need to improve on, however, is his goals return.

“He knows that himself, and he should be looking to get into double figures at Ibrox because there will be plenty of goalscoring opportunities for him.

“Rangers supporters may well be concerned about the situation with Ryan Kent, and I would imagine most would want him back again next season.

“We will need to wait and see what happens with that one. But, in Jordan, they have someone who also puts supporters on the edge of their seats.

“The same applies to Greg Stewart. He is 29 now, and at the stage where the next three years should be the best of his career.

“I have to say I’m excited about Greg going to Rangers.

“He was brilliant with Kilmarnock because Steve Clarke gave him the freedom to roam around the front area, wide areas and just off the striker. That’s why he excelled.

“It remains to be seen where he will play for Rangers, but I have a feeling he will fit very nicely into that number 10 role.

“He could turn out to be the missing piece of the jigsaw for Rangers.

“Greg has it in his locker to be one of the signings of the season.

“What he needs to do is come back for pre-season, and be absolutely raring to go. He needs to meet the challenge head-on and I’m sure he will.

“He is a Rangers supporter and will feel privileged at getting this opportunity.

“Again, like Jordan, he has the mentality to cope with playing for Rangers. He knows what the club is all about and the level of expectation.

“To get Jordan and Greg for no transfer outlay is excellent business.”

Boyd is pleased to see Rangers recruiting Scottish players, and said: “I think it’s the right way forward to bring in three or four Scots.

“Sometimes you tend to look away from what is right under your nose, and that can be a mistake.

“I was a young Scottish player and given an opportunity at Rangers when they signed me from Kilmarnock. It’s important for clubs not to forget their own.

“All in all, we can now see the market starting to move and business being done up and down the country.

“That will intensify in the next three or four weeks, when clubs start back their training and managers look to bring in new players as quickly as possible.

“For some clubs, there will be no time to waste, and it’s important they get as many right as possible.

“For many different reasons, it is shaping up to be an absolute cracker of a season, and there will be thrills and spills, moments of magic and times of controversy to come.

“It’s all what makes Scottish football such an excellent product, and why supporters will be going along in their thousands to every home game all across the country.”