'He is crucial': Rangers warned they cannot afford to lose one player who 'oozes class'
12/10/2024 11:30 AM
The departure of so many senior players from Rangers – Conor Goldson, Ryan Jack and Borna Barisic, to name but three – opened the door for others to step up and take the mantle this season.
In his place, and wearing his old number eight shirt, Connor Barron is following impressively in Jack’s footsteps. And not just because he also arrived at Ibrox from Aberdeen.
Jefte is making the left-back spot his own following Barisic’s exit. And while John Souttar did not join Rangers last summer like Barron and Jefte, his 2024/24 campaign has been a story of remarkable self-improvement as the Scotland international blossoms from useful squad player to first name on Philippe Clement’s team sheet.
Souttar only started 24 Premiership games last term. He is on 14 already this, playing the full 90 minutes on every single occasion and helping Rangers climb to second in the clean sheets table with nine to their name.
Clement even labelled Souttar ‘Rangers’ best defender’ recently.
Kris Boyd is equally delighted with Souttar’s progress. Not only with regards to his performances on the pitch but also his fitness. He missed 50 games of football from 2022 to 2023, after all.
But, now an almost ever-present, Boyd is praying that the curse has been lifted for good.
Kris Boyd says ‘class’ John Souttar is getting better and better for Rangers
“Touch wood that his injury past is behind him,” Boyd begins, highlighting Souttar’s willingless to lead by example as a Hamza Igamane-inspired Rangers beat Ross County 3-0 on Sunday lunchtime.
“Because you look at when he’s performing at this level, he does ooze class, there’s no doubt about it. His reading of the game, his passing, he’s maturing into a real leader as well.
“There were glimpses [in the past] where you thought; ‘Yeah, he’s going to be a good player’. But, now, he’s showing what a top defender he is.
“When you go back to the summer, [he was] left out of Steve Clarke’s squad for the Euros. You would probably say he is first-choice for Scotland as well [now]. That is how quickly it has turned around for him, but it’s down to him. He is the one who has put in the hard work.
“He is definitely reaping the rewards of whatever he’s been doing because he’s been excellent.”
Boyd feels that Souttar, at the age of 28, has ironed out the kinks in his game. There is a no-nonsense nature to his football now, albeit while retaining the ball-playing talents that earned him that move to the blue side of Glasgow in the first place back in 2022.
“There’s no flashiness with him,” adds the legendary Rangers striker. “When you go back to when he first burst onto the scene with Dundee United and Hearts, he would take little chances.
“But that’s been cut out of his game. He’s maturing into a real top defender.”
- READ MORE:Rangers Transfer History 2016-Present
Boyd urges Rangers to tie Souttar down to a new contract
Rangers have frequently come in for criticism for recent times among those who feel that they have either held onto long-serving players for too long, or have not done enough to extend valuable contracts and therefore protect the value of their prized assets.
Barisic, Jack, John Lundstram, Alfredo Morelos, Filip Helander and Scott Arfield have all departed Ibrox for absolutely nothing over the last 18 months or so.
And Boyd is praying that the same does not happen with Souttar.
His deal runs until 2026. As such, if Rangers cannot tie him down, they have to decide between risking another free-transfer departure or selling Souttar either in January or next summer.
Clement did admit that talks with Souttar have ‘progressed’, however, though that concern will remain until things become official.
“It will be interesting to see what happens,” Boyd concludes. “He is crucial to Rangers going forward. They are going to have to get something on the table.
“[Rangers must say to Souttar] ‘Listen, get that signed and commit your long-term future to Rangers’. Because they can’t hope to start losing players like him.”
