Colin Hendry tips John Souttar to be a hit with Rangers
Former Scotland defender Colin Hendry believes that John Souttar will fit well into the Rangers defensive unit.
The 25-year-old has joined up with the Gers in the ongoing transfer window after his deal with Hearts came to an end after signing a pre-contract at Ibrox.
Hendry, while talking to Daily Record, stated that he likes Souttar, who according to him has all the potential to shine in Glasgow under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
“I like him,” said the former Ibrox icon who won the Treble under Dick Advocaat in 1999. “If anything, Souttar reminds me a wee bit of Alan McLaren. Maybe not in style of play, but from the fact that he came from Hearts as well and showed real resilience to overcome injury problems.
“John looks like a player who can fit into the Rangers side and be a success. I think it’s clear he signed because the feeling was that Connor Goldson would be leaving and Souttar would be his replacement.
“But now Rangers have got both of them because Goldson signed a new contract and that’s brilliant news for the club.
“I’m sure they can play together, no problem, and Rangers will have a number of options at the back now because Calvin Bassey has come from nowhere to looking like a top, top player and can play left-back or left centre-back.”
Top Defensive Recruitment
In the recently concluded season, Souttar made 26 appearances and scored four goals, working his way back into the Scotland set-up consistently under Steve Clarke.
He averaged 0.8 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game. Moreover, he averaged four clearances per game in the Scottish Premiership [WhoScored].
Considering his goal-scoring threat and defensive attributes, Souttar is a defender that every manager would like to have. He is a great header of the ball as well which makes him a threat on set-pieces.
The Scotland international was signed as a replacement for Goldson but the 29-year-old has decided to stay and there is no reason why both players cannot combine in a back four.
Apart from that, the duo can also work together in a system of three at the back. Souttar will definitely need time to adjust to his surroundings but he should get there and there is no doubt that the Gers have signed a top player.
In other Rangers news, the inquiry into the club’s 2012 sale is now set to cost the taxpayer over £100million.