Stuttgart assistant coach Markus Babbel believes Rangers could struggle to keep Alan Hutton if the Scotland full-back continues to mature.

Hutton, 22, is having an outstanding season for club and country and Babbel has identified him as a big threat to Stuttgart ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash in Germany.

The young right-back claimed an assist for Charlie Adam's strike and won the penalty which Jean-Claude Darcheville converted when Rangers beat Stuttgart 2-1 at Ibrox earlier in the season.

And former Liverpool and Bayern Munich defender Babbel, 35, believes Hutton has a big future in the game.

Babbel told the Sunday Herald: "He played really well against Stuttgart and I would be surprised if other big teams weren't interested in him. He is very quick, good in challenges, and fantastic coming forward.

"I watched Rangers against Gretna and he was the best man on the pitch, and last week in the Scotland match against Italy he was simply fantastic.

"If he keeps playing like he is doing at the moment it will be difficult for Rangers to keep him in their team.

"We have to think about what is the best way to stop him."

Scotland manager Alex McLeish has reiterated his appreciation of Hutton's performances for the national team.

"He is like a runaway truck just now, it's hard to stop him," said McLeish.

"He's like the wee comic book character who used to be my hero, Billy's Boots, who had a pair of boots that would take him into the right position and take him past people."

McLeish added: "I look at a lot of teams in the Premiership and I wonder if they have better than Hutton."

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