'He looks top drawer': One Rangers ace singled out as rivals applaud 'real player'
Yesterday at 01:05 PM
If there is a sense that Rangers are easing their way into the new campaign, then the same is true of a player who appears to be growing in stature by the week.
As the Glasgow giants stumbled out of the blocks – drawing with Hearts on the opening day and exiting the Champions League in the qualification stage – outside observers could have been forgiven for presuming John Souttar would be glancing nervously over his shoulder with Ben Davies and new recruit Robin Propper looking to take his spot.
But, now eight games in, both Rangers and Souttar appear to be finding some form.
That Old Firm derby defeat to Celtic aside, Rangers have won three of their last four games without conceding a goal in league and cup.
And with Souttar looking far more confident than he did in the season’s early stages, the decisions to end Connor Goldson’s six-year association while loaning Davies to Birmingham City have aged like the finest cut of wagyu.
John Souttar praised as Rangers beat Dundee United
Souttar was commanding and convincing as Philippe Clement’s side bounced back from their Hoops reverse with a creditable 1-0 win away at high-flying Dundee United on Sunday.
Tom Lawrence’s superb solo effort put Rangers ahead just seven minutes in at Tannadice.
And while the eventual 1-0 scoreline may create the impression of a rather nervy win on the road, the statistics will tell you that Dundee United did not manage a single effort on target.
“I didn’t think it was spectacular but it was really comfortable. I thought Rangers were very good first-half,” former Gers midfielder Andy Halliday tells the Open Goal podcast on YouTube. “They played at a pace, played at a tempo.
“I thought all their key players in attack started the game really well. Lawrence had a really good 20, 25 minutes.”
In addition to Scotland international Souttar, Halliday also singled out the improving Jefte Vital at left-back and the almost ever-present Connor Barron.
“I thought real positives individually for Rangers were Barron, Jefte and John Souttar,” adds now-Motherwell ace Halliday. “I think John Souttar has started the season well.”
“He looks top drawer doesn’t he, when he is stepping in,” agrees Trevor Carson, the experienced goalkeeper who’s Dundee side will face Souttar and co in this weekend’s Scottish League Cup quarter-final.
“He looks a real player.”
Scotland ace has played every minute for Philippe Clement
Shifting to a right-sided centre-back role with Propper on the left, Souttar has played every single one of the 720 minutes available for Rangers so far in 2024/25. It remains to be seen if Clement maintains that impressive run at Dundee.
The versatile Neraysho Kasanwirjo – who can also play in defensive midfield and in both full-back roles – arrived on loan from Feyenoord on deadline day to provide cover at the back should The Gers require it.
"You have to evolve and improve. I am new so I have to get used to the football, my players, my opponents," Propper tells Rangers Review, delighted with the progress he is making as part of a new-look backline.
"That takes some time. I try to do my best and you see in moments we have good quality in defence and in the attack. We can improve that and I try to do my best.
"With John and Jefte, we're doing really well to improve."
