John Souttar responds to Rangers new contract poser and why he feels more 'comfortable'
Yesterday at 15:37
John Souttar is remaining coy over potential new contract talks with Rangers after a report in August claimed he was set to be handed new terms.
Souttar signed a four-year deal with the Light Blues in 2022 but he is now only starting to show his best form for the club.
The former Hearts defender has enjoyed an extended spell in the Rangers starting XI this season and has assumed more responsibility at the back after the departure of Connor Goldson.
Souttar and summer arrival Robin Propper have formed a new partnership as a result and it seems to be bringing the best out of the 28-year-old.
Souttar was fantastic for Scotland during the international break as he helped keep a clean sheet against Portugual and thus prevent Cristiano Ronaldo from having a good night at Hampden.
And Souttar’s great start to the season would be topped off if Philippe Clement does indeed decide it is time for the centre-back to be handed a new contract.
Souttar on possible new Rangers deal
But Souttar revealed ahead of Rangers’ trip to Kilmarnock on Sunday in the Premiership that he isn’t really focusing on that at the moment.
Asked if a new contract is in the offing and if he is hoping to stay at Rangers long-term, Souttar responded: “To be honest, I just leave that to people behind the scenes.
“I’m not taking much to do with that. I’m just concentrating on playing every single week and training hard every single day and preparing for the big month we’ve got coming up.
It was the Daily Record who reported at the end of the summer transfer window that Souttar was in line for a contract extension at Ibrox.
The report stated that Clement was keen to tie him up beyond 2026 and avoid the risk of losing him for free as was the case for many experienced players who left Rangers in the summer.
Souttar feels more ‘comfortable’ at Rangers
Meanwhile, Souttar explained that he feels more comfortable playing for Rangers this season.
And that’s because with the departure of Goldson, he is now able to play more regularly on the right side of central defence with Propper on the left.
Souttar said: “I think I played a lot of football on the left side this year but yeah, I feel more comfortable on the right.
“Coming out with the ball on your right foot, the angles are different. But on the left, if I’m asked to play there, I’ll play there no problem.
“But being right-footed, it is more comfortable and it opens up more passes whereas on the left, it’s less natural.”
