Rangers: BBC Sportsound pundits stunned by what ‘superb’ John Souttar did vs Benfica at Ibrox
John Souttar produced a “superb” cross in the first half of an outstanding Rangers performance against Benfica to wow Stuart McCall and Steven Thompson.
The two pundits reacted live on the BBC Sportsound coverage of the Europa League clash on 14 March, with former after the centre-back swung a beautiful cross into the box from the right after receiving possession from Scott Wright midway through the first half to win a corner in a great display.
It came in what was an all-round impressive showing from the Scot, who was penalised for handball to concede a penalty in the first leg, with Thompson branding him the “best player on the pitch”.
McCall said (6.13pm): “Superb by Souttar, read the game well, good ball back from Wright, and what a fantastic whipped cross in. Good defending by Benfica.”
Thompson added: “It really was a superb cross into such a brilliant area, right in the middle of the six yard box, and you have to say it was defended well.”
He then added at half-time (6.36pm): “John Souttar for me has been the best player on the pitch. I think the way that he’s read the game has been excellent, his distribution has been good, he’s nipped in in front of [Marcos] Leonardo on three or four occasions…
“John Souttar’s read those occasions well, he just looks very comfortable out there.”
Rangers defender played in his slippers against Portuguese giants at Ibrox
Souttar was unfortunate to give away a spot kick in Lisbon but more than made up for it with his display in the return leg in what was arguably his finest at the club.
From the first minute, when he tidied up some slack play from Mohamed Diomande, he was on form defensively and covered against a number of breaks.
His distribution offensively was also highly impressive, while his cross in the first half had shades of his wonderful assist for Cyriel Dessers in the 5-0 hammering of Hearts.
However, he and all his defensive teammates were pushed up close to the Benfica box for every Rangers corner, in an odd tactical decision from Philippe Clement.
Numerous warnings weren’t heeded as they repeatedly threatened in those exact circumstances and Rafa Silva broke the deadlock on the break after a VAR review inside 70 minutes, streaking clear to put past the man of the moment Jack Butland.
It ended up a highly frustrating situation as the Light Blues were arguably the better side on the night, but they failed to create clearcut openings and were caught on the counterattack to end their pursuit of four trophies under Clement.
In other Rangers news, a deal is now wanted before the season’s end to secure an Ibrox exit for a senior ace.
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