It seems Rangers have played their cards right with Jordan Jones as Alan Hutton believes their price reveal will spark a bidding war for the Northern Irishman this summer.

What's the word?

Jones, who reportedly earns £9,100-a-week, joined Sunderland on loan from Rangers in the January transfer window, but he has been restricted to just four appearances in the north east, including two as a substitute.

The 26-year-old has fallen out of favour under Steven Gerrard after breaking coronavirus protocols, and according to Football Insider, he could make a move for a fee of around £600,000.

When asked if their asking price could tempt potential suitors into trying to sign Jones in the summer, Hutton said: “Yeah, you would think so. I do like him as a player, but it’s not worked out.

“You can go right back to his injury against Celtic when it was a rash tackle, he’s still young enough, he’s got plenty of years in front of them and bringing him in on a free, you will make money out of the situation.

“It’s just been a shame and he’ll probably think the same, it was a massive opportunity coming to Rangers, his boyhood club, to really stamp his authority on it.

“Through different sorts of situations, on the field and off it’s not worked out.

“I think he’ll be a player that Rangers will look to offload in the summer but I’m sure if he goes down to Sunderland and does well, there will be teams that are willing to take the risk and pay the money for him.”

Exit pending?

It seems the Scottish Premiership leaders are preparing for a flood of offers for the nine-cap Northern Ireland international when the transfer market re-opens in the summer, so it appears they are setting the bar in advance.

Rangers know there may be plenty of Championship interest in the winger, who had attracted interest from the likes of Middlesbrough, QPR and Preston last year, while Sunderland may also be keeping a watchful eye on future proceedings.

As it stands, no official offers have been received for Jones, who has made just four appearances for Rangers this season, but it seems a bidding war could erupt at some point in the near future.

Big things were expected from the winger after impressing at Premiership rivals Kilmarnock, but by his own admission, it's not worked out as well as planned for Jones at the 54-time Scottish champions.

He's barely been used by Gerrard, and it's easy to see why - one goal and two assists in 19 appearances across all competitions is hardly the stuff of legend.

Now 26 and heading into the final year of his contract, he won't fetch a hefty price, but Rangers should look to get him off their books for good.

Gers Sporting Director Ross Wilson made the right decision this January.

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