There are claims being made that John Souttar was to miss various Rangers friendlies through ‘personal reasons’ but the former Hearts defender didn’t miss a single one, so we’re not sure how true that is, because for whatever reason, the new Rangers man hasn’t hit the ground running yet for the Famous and has struggled with the step up.
The thing is, Souttar was originally signed as a stopgap free transfer precontract because Rangers were 100% convinced Connor Goldson was going to leave – Souttar was a body brought in as a replacement in the summer.
The club were wary about paying Hearts’ asking price of around £600,000 give or take because they didn’t know if the lad was needed immediately or not.
As it turned out, Goldson stayed, and Gio gave the situation with Souttar away a little bit when he signed Ben Davies as a ‘left footed CH’.
Souttar is right footed and Gio likes to play symmetrical defenders. Goldson is a righty, and thinking he was moving on, Souttar was clinched on a Bosman. Back in Gio’s Feyenoord days he used Terence Kongolo (lefty) on that side of defence.
But as Gio said it, lefties are hard to find in this market, and so he brought in Davies.
Which leaves Souttar a bit in limbo.
He has struggled in preseason, whether it’s the step up or personal reasons… or possibly both, we don’t know, but the standard has raised now and fans aren’t quite won over by the Scotland international just yet.
He’s not been helped by James Sands’ impressive displays at the back this preseason which have probably propelled the versatile USA international ahead of him.
But Souttar needs time to settle, and to grasp what it is to be a Ranger, so we say get off his back like we say get off Ryan Kent’s too.
Goldson’s change of mind really did confuse things a little at Ibrox.
To be honest I was pleased when we signed him and thought he would be a success. I’m sure he will be a good signing as a squad member . I’m also not pleased with the way Goldson is exposing him as he does no matter who his partner is as usual with his own failngs and shortcomings already. Davies will take time to settle in too.
I think the big fella has been good so far and his natural position will be on the right side of a three or as a stand in if Goldson is missing.
Aside the injuries ,he is not good enough ,will certainly be found out in CL ,just a cover player for me .
Hes been okay, i think hel be good in the end once he settles
I never felt Souttar would be a first choice. I think he’ll play plenty of domestic games through injury, 3 at the back, suspension and rotation but Goldson and Davies will be the main men. And as you say Sands may get games at CB too. Katic is a goner.
Comments are closed.