John Souttar tipped for major new role at Rangers with exit on the cards

Rangers could do much worse than selecting John Souttar as the player to succeed James Tavernier as captain, according to Ian Durrant.

Speaking to The Scottish Sun (20 November), former Gers defender Durrant said that following his superb form for club and country this season, Souttar has everything it takes to be a leader at Ibrox.

Souttar was flawless at the back during the international break as Scotland kept a clean sheet in their victory over Croatia, before providing the cross which saw them beat Poland at the death.

Durrant said: "Souttar’s been absolutely immense these last ten days. He looks like he could be a leader.

“If James Tavernier was to come out of the team, the manager could now go to Souttar or Jack Butland. Souttar is now an experienced boy for the captaincy.

“If things are getting tough, he’ll be one of the ones you look to have in the trenches with you.

“He’s been absolutely immense for Scotland – I just hope he now carries on and is immense for Rangers.”

John Souttar the best candidate to become new Rangers captain

Tavernier's time as Light Blues skipper has been through plenty of ups and downs, but with the veteran right-back now 33 and not entirely assured of his place in the side, a change of captain looks inevitable.

Given Tavernier has also been mooted to take his leave from Ibrox across recent months, with several sides across the globe interested, Philippe Clement could be forced into a decision as soon as January.

Souttar and Butland are rightfully the prime candidates having been ever-presents so far this season, and it's clear that Souttar should be the man to take up Tavernier's mantle for the long term.

While Butland has been described by Clement as the only current player he wouldn't sell at Ibrox, Souttar is younger, arguably in better form, and seems the perfect choice to wear the armband.

As the Gers' sole Scotland representative in recent times despite Connor Barron being included in recent squads, Souttar has shown he's ready to make the step up to captaincy level in Light Blue.

In other Rangers news, Gordon Dalziel weighed up how the Scotland national side would perform against the two Old Firm clubs.

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