Barry Ferguson backs Rangers defender John Souttar to prove critics wrong
Barry Ferguson has backed Rangers defender John Souttar to shine at Ibrox despite his “rotten luck” with injuries.
In the recently concluded AGM (6 December), Souttar’s name has been dragged into the debate where Rangers have gone wrong in the transfer market, but Ferguson is adamant that the former Hearts defender has got a lot to offer.
Writing his column for The Daily Record (9 December, page 58), the popular pundit has praised Souttar for his “excellent” distribution and believes that on a free transfer he was a gamble worth taking.
“So those shareholders who held the board to task over the club’s transfer activity at this week’s AGM had every right to raise some legitimate concerns,” wrote Ferguson for The Daily Record.
“I’ll mention a few of my own a minute but first let’s spare a thought for John Souttar whose name has been dragged into the whole debate as an example of where my old club is going wrong.
“The big man could still be the exception rather than the rule.
“He’s got the lot in terms of what you’re looking for in a modern day defender. Strong in the air, quick, excellent distribution, physically intimidating. That’s what a Rangers centre-half is all about.
“Yes, I get the point being made. He’s had rotten luck with injuries and there was always a risk it might come back to bite Rangers on the bum. But, on a free transfer, it was absolutely a gamble worth taking and I’m not sure it’s time for the fans to write him off just yet.”
The curious case
The Bears had sealed a pre-contract agreement with Souttar back in the January transfer window.
The defender made the move to Ibrox on a free transfer during the summer.
The 26-year-old has made only one appearance in the Scottish Premiership this season. He was replaced by James Sands just 67 minutes into his debut, and he has not been seen in a blue jersey since.
The Bears fans have been left in the dark over his fitness, and it is unclear when he can return.
His signing was always going to be a big gamble. He suffered serious Achilles injuries earlier in his career, and missed several fixtures towards the end of the last term after picking up an ankle injury.
However, Souttar is a quality defender, and the Bears took the gamble on him, considering he was available for free.
It will be interesting to see how Michael Beale handles him. It would be wrong to write him off quickly, but he needs to silence his critics when he returns from injury.
In other Rangers news, this prolific goalscorer is “excited” by speculation linking him with a move to Ibrox in January.