Derek McInnes has addressed the John Souttar situation for the very first time at Rangers. Many, many weeks ago, before McInnes even arrived, Souttar was linked with a move to Leicester City. Of course, that speculation ramped up hugely when Souttar did not travel to Spain. It became pretty clear that Rangers intended a departure, but that has not happened yet.
McInnes fails to clarify Souttar situation
Speaking about that situation for the very first time, McInnes failed to clear it up very much at all. This is a strange one for Ibrox Noise.
While Souttar had a bad season last campaign, he did not even feature for Scotland at the World Cup. Nevertheless, we know that, at his very best, he is a solid and dependable stopper.
He has a predilection for blocking shots and putting his body on the line. Souttar is a very committed defender, even if his reading of the game could be better.
He did have a bad season last campaign. However, we can heavily blame that on the management and players around him. It was not the best campaign for the Scotland international.
Souttar could seek minutes elsewhere
McInnes addressed this by simply saying that he did not really know himself what was happening. Souttar was training well and keeping himself professional.
However, there were options and it might be best for him to get minutes by playing elsewhere.
This seems to suggest that it is actually McInnes’ choice to ship Souttar out. It appears the two of them have discussed his intentions.
Moreover, Souttar does not really appear to play a big role in McInnes’ plans going forward.
In all fairness, we knew about Russell Martin’s potential interest from Leicester City months before McInnes arrived. That may have turned Souttar’s head in itself.
McInnes arriving has only made him seek the new manager out to discuss his situation.
Does Souttar want to leave Rangers?
Does Souttar himself want to leave? Or is he simply not part of McInnes’ plans in the first place?
We will likely never know unless Souttar himself clarifies it. What we got from McInnes did not really clear that one up at all. Nor do we necessarily expect him to.
Very few managers will outright say a player is not part of their plans. They usually only do so when that player is surplus, on the fringes and needs to leave.
José Cifuentes would be one of those players, even if he may not actually get his exit after all. That is another story.
However, as for Souttar, he clearly is not going to play much of a role going forward. McInnes was not especially enthusiastic about him when discussing him.
It does seem like the two of them see things differently regarding a path forward.
Why is the Souttar transfer taking so long?
Whether Souttar was ever good enough for Rangers does not really matter anymore. It appears he will leave.
The question involves getting that move sorted out and getting a deal agreed. However, we believed it would happen much quicker than this.
When he did not go to Spain, we thought that move would get resolved. However, here we are, weeks later, and it still has not been.
Danilo also did not travel to Spain because he was negotiating with Botafogo at the time. That deal got resolved and he is now gone, albeit only on loan with a conditional obligation.
However, Souttar remains in training because, as yet, nothing has been thrashed out.
We find that one very, very odd. What is taking so long?