John Souttar lays down personal aims as defender plans to grasp Rangers opportunity

The centre-half also has Scotland on his radar as he revels in prolonged period of fitness

Opportunity stretches out endlessly in front of John Souttar. The Rangers defender’s short-term aim is simply to enjoy a period of prolonged productivity, with Connor Goldson’s suspension for the midweek league match with Hibs likely to give Souttar a window to start for a third match in succession.

There are wider goals, too. Rangers remain actively in pursuit of three trophies to add to the Viaplay Cup secured before Christmas, while the tantalising prospect of representing Scotland in this summer’s European Championships serves as additional motivation. Souttar has experienced enough heartache to never take anything for granted but the former Hearts player strikes an upbeat note as he sizes up what potentially lies ahead.

“Yeah, I feel good,” he confirmed. “The gaffer has obviously been rotating me, Balo [Leon Balogun] and Ben [Davies]. Connor has come out for a couple of games. It’s just about making sure that when you are in, you take that opportunity. For me, it’s about staying fit, staying healthy and when I’m playing, making sure I’m on it. We’ve got a lot of games coming up. We’ve just come through a spell over the festive period where we had so many games too. It’s natural that you pick up injuries during those kinds of hectic runs with boys having to play as many minutes as they have. So everybody is going to be needed again with this next busy period approaching. The manager has already said that, so getting guys like Borna [Barisic], Ryan [Jack] and Tom [Lawrence] back is massive for us, not just off the pitch but on it too.”

John Souttar was part of the Rangers team that won 4-1 against Dumbarton.

The Rangers players rolled back the years to ensure safe passage through their fourth round Scottish Cup tie away to Dumbarton on Saturday night in conditions and on a pitch that many wouldn’t have experienced since the early days of their careers. “We’ve all played in these before,” added Souttar. “This is what Scottish football is all about. I enjoyed it! I grew up playing on pitches like that. Everyone who has come through the ranks. You play on different fields and parks and they are all like that. Obviously I haven’t played on like that for a few years but this is what the cup is all about and I really enjoyed it.”

Souttar was widely expected to become a Scotland mainstay after making his debut in 2018 but injuries have denied him that opportunity. With just seven caps to his name and only one in the last 18 months, the 27-year-old isn’t guaranteed a place in Steve Clarke’s Euros squad but it gives him something extra to push for. “Absolutely,” he said, when asked if it’s in his thoughts. “I’m feeling good at the moment. I’m feeling fit. I’ve gone quite a long spell without feeling anything so what happens in the end this summer will take care of itself. But I know if I’m playing well for Rangers and staying fit I’ll give myself a good chance. For the moment, though, all my concentration is here.”