As is now widely known, John Souttar did not travel to Spain to be part of Derek McInnes’s Rangers summer camp. Initially, there were a few disagreements over the reason. After Ibrox Noise and indeed the Rangers Review reported that his staying at home was due to transfer negotiations, some made fatuous claims that it was to do with the World Cup, his rest period or an injury. Neither of the latter are true.
Why Souttar stayed behind
Souttar, of course, joined up at Auchenhowie in pre season and was there with picture evidence (provided below).
Furthermore, he has no injury at all. In any case, even if he did have an injury, he would still have travelled and received treatment at the camp. This is what happened many pre seasons ago with many previous injuries. Who could forget James Tavernier and Alex Lowry both at Rangers overseas training camps, but on the bikes and in the gym trying to recover from injuries? Injured players still go with the group. They just do not train with them. They will use facilities overseas and in warmer weather to regain fitness and try to get fit again.
Rangers face a defensive shortage
Now, Souttar is the subject of transfer interest. We understand it is indeed Leicester City and Russell Martin. But where does it leave Rangers? It is, of course, a surprising turn of events, but we have discussed that elsewhere. It is in a sense more important to focus on the problem now of having just two senior defenders at the club. Emmanuel Fernandez and Ben Godfrey are all that Derek McInnes has to choose from. There are some youth options, but nothing senior and nothing convincing.
More defenders are essential
This is why getting bodies in at the back has become critical. Godfrey and Fernandez will not be enough for this coming season. This is a mildly critical case, whereby Rangers crucially need at least two new defenders, preferably both a lefty and a righty, to take up that slack. If John Souttar’s deal does indeed go through and he moves on to pastures south, Rangers will go from having a little bit of option there with three defenders plus some youth choices, to having just two senior players and a whole bunch of youth. That will not be enough, and Derek McInnes knows it only too well.
Time is running short
The start of action is not super far away. It will, of course be this month with the friendlies and then the serious stuff kicking off in early August. Consequently, Rangers need to be a lot more ready than they currently are at the back. That means the transfer market becomes very important. We know, of course, that constant work is being done in that area, and there are plenty of signings who have already arrived. However, we need more at the back. That is abundantly clear.
McInnes needs solutions
We do not have a deputy for Tuur Rommens. We do not have a proper dedicated right back at all. Of course, there are also just the two centre backs. This is not enough, and McInnes will know it. Consequently, we will have to wait and see exactly how Souttar’s departure will be dealt with. For now, it is not an ideal situation, and we know Rangers will be working round the clock to get that one sorted.