John Souttar will be a “big player” at Rangers, according to former Scotland footballer Simon Donnelly.
The Gers signed the centre-back on a pre-contract agreement back in January, and although they wished to bring him to the club during that same window, Hearts stood firm and were unwilling to sell the 6ft 1in defender.
Is Souttar better than the current CBs?
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Souttar’s last game for the Jambos actually came against Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side in the Scottish Cup final as they lost 2-0, but he led his team in terms of average match ratings with a 7.3 SofaScore rating for the season.
Ahead of his impending arrival at the Ibrox gates, Donnelly is under no illusions that the 25-year-old will transition seamlessly, and insists that he has what it takes to play for a club the size of the Light Blues.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, he said: “Sometimes you can just tell that boys can handle it, they can handle the situation and the pressures – and he is one.
“That’s why I’m confident; if he can avoid the injuries that have kind of plagued him – I know he had the same injury twice with an Achilles – if he can get himself a run of games and fit, he will be a big player for Rangers and he will be a big player for Scotland because he’s got the mentality.”
TIF Thoughts on Souttar to Rangers…
The Scotland international missed 14 games through injury this past season, including eight between March and May with a recurring Achilles problem, and Gers supporters will be hoping he can overcome his issues, as when he does play, he can certainly make a difference in the side.
Do you think Goldson will leave Rangers?Yes
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His 1.2 interceptions per game this season was three times the output of Connor Goldson, who has just signed a new four-year contract after much speculation over his future, while Souttar’s four clearances per 90 minutes is also better than Goldson (3.3) and Leon Balogun (3).
The manager would be seemingly getting an upgrade on what he currently has at his disposal, and at 25, Souttar could be at the heart of that Rangers defence for quite some time, as Donnelly has suggested.