John Souttar injury claim emerges for Rangers v Celtic clash
Tam McManus believes that Rangers defender John Souttar is not expected to play in the cup final against Celtic on Sunday.
Philippe Clement refused to rule in the Scottish defender for the game and he remains a doubt for the Scottish League Cup clash at Hampden Park on 15 December.
The 26-year-old picked up an injury in the Europa League clash against Tottenham on 12 December and is a doubt for the Old Firm derby.
Speaking on PLZ Soccer on 13 December, McManus said at 23:11: “I think he’ll be out. I’ll be very surprised if he plays. Having done that myself, you can just feel something, whether it’s a tear or just something clicks.
“There’s no way you can take a jag in that area. If he’s tore or pulled his groin or strained his groin, he’s not going to play. I think that would be a huge blow for Rangers. I think he’s been in great form.”
Rangers are unlikely to gamble on John Souttar’s fitness
Even if Souttar was at 50 per cent fitness, Gers would be highly unlikely to risk him in the cup final against Celtic.
The nature of groin injuries, as highlighted by McManus, suggests that any strain or tear in that area could worsen with play, leading to a significantly longer recovery period.
Pushing the Scotland international into the match could aggravate his condition, potentially sidelining him for several weeks or even months, which would be a strategic misstep for the club, especially considering the importance of his defensive contributions.
Souttar has been in excellent form, making his absence a notable blow, but the risk of further injury far outweighs the potential benefits of having him play at less than full capacity.
Philippe Clement would likely prioritise the 26-year-old’s long-term health and availability over the short-term gain of having him in a single match.
The onus is on Robin Propper to replace Souttar and prove he’s capable enough of doing a good job.
In other Rangers news, an exclusive source has issued an update for the 2025/26 season with the club making an ultimate decision.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.