John Souttar in telling Rangers honesty as Davide Ancelotti next boss links addressed by Ibrox star

Daily Record

13-05-2025

The big defender is entering the final 12 months of his deal and there has been no talks over an extension since October
John Souttar is a man of few words these days.
But at Rangers' training ground, he didn't have to.
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Because as he assessed the wreckage of what's gone before this season, the look of dejection and disappointment was written all over his face.
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And as he somehow tried to look ahead to a bright Ibrox future - with just a year left on his contract - what Souttar did say was telling.
His gaffer Barry Ferguson touched on it at his press conference last week.
That while the club is subject to a £100million American takeover from 49ers Enterprises and Andrew Cavenagh - there will continue to be an air of uncertainty around the club.
And that's not just about who will be in charge going forward or how much cash a new manager might have to spend.
It's about the current group of players who, while they've underperformed this term, need some clarity on what's around the corner.
Souttar is certainly in that boat. In a poor campaign, he's been one of their most reliable players.
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He was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year and has also excelled for the national team.
But as it stands, Souttar will go on his summer holidays with no idea if he'll still be at Ibrox next season.
With 12 months remaining on his deal, the club opened talks with the centre-back months ago and it looked certain that an extension would be agreed.
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But with the takeover now at the forefront of everyone's mind, he revealed those discussions have NOT continued.
He doesn't know if he'll have Davide Ancelotti, Barry Ferguson or anyone else as his gaffer.
But whoever is in charge will need to make a decision soon on whether they want to keep Souttar at Rangers.
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Certainly, the 28-year-old is keen to stay for the long-term.
But, despite trying to be guarded at Gers' pre-match press conference, he admits it's a concern, not just for him but for other players too.
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When asked if he'd felt that air of uncertainty, Souttar said: 'Yeah, if you're coming to the end of your contract, there's always going to be that uncertainty.
'Everyone is focused on the last two games. But I think if you're out of contract, then naturally part of your mindset will be what's going to happen in the summer.
'That's only natural for every player. Anyone in that position will feel the exact same.
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'Has there been an update on my own contract? No, I've heard nothing. Nothing at all.
'Fingers crossed that any new manager coming in would see me as someone they'd want here long term.
'I spoke about it (contract extension) earlier this season with the club, around October time.
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'But apart from that there hasn't been much communication.
'So I'll just play these two games, hopefully be involved with Scotland in June then see what happens.
'Is that because of the uncertainty around the club in terms of a takeover? Yeah, potentially.
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'I think a number of lads are in the same position so we'll just have to wait and see.'
Another one in a similar boat is his partner at the back, Leon Balogun, who will be a free agent.
Souttar also wants the big Nigerian's situation to be resolved.
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He said: 'Balo has been a great servant to Rangers and has made it clear he wants to stay.
'It's obviously out of our hands but it would be good to see that.
'Age doesn't matter with him, that shouldn't come into it.
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'He's a senior figure in the dressing-room and a good person to have here.
'We need characters at a club like this, and experience. That's what he brings.'
Souttar has arguably been Rangers' best defender this season and - if it's red-hot favourite Ancelotti who is appointed as manager - is someone you'd want to keep.
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At 28, he should be coming into the best years of his career.
But Souttar is honest enough with himself and supporters.
He says he's had good and bad spells this term on a personal level.
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But he's unequivocal when accepting it's been nowhere near good enough from the Rangers squad a whole.
That's why he's determined to finish with two victories against Dundee United and Hibs.
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He said: 'Obviously, the season hasn't been good enough. Everyone is aware of that.
'We'll concentrate on these two games but I think everyone is looking forward to the summer.
'We're not happy with how the season has gone but it's important to finish strongly.
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'Everyone at the club knows it hasn't been good enough for a number of reasons this year.
'For me personally, I've played a lot of football in what's been an up and down season for me.
'At the start of it, if you'd have told me I'd play this amount of games, I'd have taken it.
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'I've also got myself back in the national team set-up, which is great.
'But it's difficult to look at yourself because the season as a whole hasn't gone how we wanted it to as a club.'
It could well be Ancelotti's job to fix that this summer if he arrives from Real Madrid as Rangers' new head coach.
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And whether Souttar will be part of a new dawn at the club - or sold off before his contract expires - remains to be seen.
When asked about what he thought about the Italian son of Carlo being linked with the job, he said: 'I try not to think about it too much, if I'm honest.
'I'll probably only take notice of it when it's announced.
'Until then, I'll just play football and see what these next two games bring.'