John Souttar’s Shock Decision Means Rangers Need To Replace Him | OneFootball

It is the kind of news Rangers fans have grown far too familiar with. Another injury blow to an already fragile defender and this time it could cost John Souttar months on the sidelines. While the full extent is still to be officially confirmed reports suggest the Scotland international may have delayed surgery to remain available for his national team and now Rangers are the ones paying the price. It is a frustrating situation and one which leaves the club with a serious problem at the back going into a new season with expectations already high.

Souttar has unfortunately never shaken off the injury tag. His record before arriving at Ibrox was well known and it has only continued since joining. As Ibrox Noise highlighted earlier in the year there were already fears about his long term fitness and those concerns have now resurfaced in the worst way. Rangers cannot afford to carry liabilities in defence especially when there is no immediate cover of proven quality.

This is not the first time Souttar’s struggles have come under the spotlight. In fact there has been consistent doubt ever since his arrival and the latest issue only reinforces what many already suspected—that his body simply cannot hold up to the demands of top level football week in week out. With Champions League qualifiers looming and a domestic campaign to prepare for the timing could not be worse.

The reality is simple. Souttar will need replacing. Whether that is a short term fix or a full scale signing remains to be seen but Rangers cannot begin the season with the defence in such a vulnerable state. Recruitment in this position must now be prioritised. Flashscore documents just how often the big defender has been unavailable and those numbers are too high for comfort.

Rangers need reliability and right now Souttar cannot offer that. He is a fine player when fit but those moments are too few and far between. It is a harsh reality but a necessary one. Rangers have no choice now but to act and bring in someone who can be trusted to play. The sooner the better.