Rangers ecstasy turns to Athletic agony as stats lay bare scale of 'killer' Europa League loss
03/18/2025 08:30 AM
Rangers are preparing to welcome La Liga outfit Athletic Bilbao to Ibrox in the Europa League Quarter Final.
Jack Butland was the Rangers hero in a famous penalty kicks victory over Fenerbahce which guided the club to the competition's last eight with a huge test to come in the shape of the Spaniards.
Rangers' record v Spanish teams is abysmal and the club will need to re-write history with victory over Athletic.
Jose Mourinho would be surprised if Rangers got past Athletic, who are the hosts of this season's Europa League Final in May.
But with Rangers hoping to make the trip to the Estadio de San Mames twice this season, the club will have to take full advantage of the first leg at Ibrox.
Rangers will need all hands on deck if they're to progress against Spanish football's fourth-place club but they'll have to welcome Athletic to Ibrox without one key player.
John Souttar gives his thoughts on 'killer' Athletic ban
John Souttar has been a monumental figure for Rangers when he's been fit this season.
It's no exaggeration to say that had the Scotland international, 28, not been injured against Tottenham Hotspur at Ibrox in December, then Philippe Clement might still be in a job.
Souttar has hailed the impact of Barry Ferguson and the big defender was crucial to Rangers getting the job done against Fenerbahce in both legs.
With Rangers switching to a back-three in these games under Ferguson, Souttar really suits his position in the middle with the centre-back's aggression, aerial quality and ability on the ball making him a stand-out.
But after picking up a yellow card in the second leg victory over Fenerbahce, Souttar will not be available for Rangers in the first leg against Athletic.
Speaking after Rangers' 3-2 Old Firm victory over Celtic, Souttar admits the situation is a 'killer' but acknowledges it's better than a failure to progress.
"(It's) A killer," Souttar said. "Obviously you want to play them massive games at Ibrox.
"It'll be an unbelievable occasion and I'm gutted I'm missing it but look it's one of these things, it's football.
"I'd much rather we got through and I was suspended than the opposite way."
Stats prove Rangers titan Souttar will be huge Europa League miss
John Souttar is a crucial player for Rangers and the stats bear that hypothesis out.
The centre-back has made 32 appearances (30 starts) for Rangers this season, whilst Rangers have played 48 games in total at the time of writing.
Here's how Rangers perform with Souttar in the team:
| Games | Win | Draw | Loss | Win % | Goals conceded | Goals scored | Goal difference | |
| With John Souttar in the team | 32 | 20 | 5 | 7 | 62.5% | 18 | 61 | +43 |
And here's how Rangers perform without Souttar in the team:
| Games | Win | Draw | Loss | Win % | Goals conceded | Goals scored | Goal difference | |
| Without John Souttar in the team | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 50% | 21 | 31 | +10 |
Souttar has been missing for one third of Rangers' season in total and the impact has been sizeable.
It's also worth noting that Rangers lost the only Europa League match this season where Souttar was not involved, falling to a late 2-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The centre-back is crucial to the Ibrox club defensively, with the Leon Balogun unreliable physically and questions over Robin Propper's mentality in Scotland.
The defender will be a huge miss for Rangers against Athletic Bilbao at Ibrox and others will have to step up in the ex-Hearts star's place.
Souttar is not the only Rangers star who will be suspended for the Europa League visit of Athletic Bilbao either.
Mohamed Diomande has also talked up Ferguson after that impressive victory away at Celtic Park.
But having already missed one Europa League game through suspension after accruing yellow cards, Dio will miss another after being booked v Fenerbahce.
