Latest news with #Souttar
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
John Souttar Rangers contract stalemate in focus as former Ibrox coach urges new regime to realise what they have
Defender is in the final year of his Ibrox deal and admits talks have gone quiet despite being keen to extend his stay Billy Dodds reckons Rangers should be doing all they can to extend John Souttar 's contract. The Scotland defender is in the final 10 months of his Ibrox deal and revealed last week talks over fresh terms have stalled. Souttar has started all five of Russell Martin 's competitive games in charge this season taking him onto the 99 game mark in Govan and was handed the captain's armband in last week's 3-0 Champions League qualifying victory over Viktoria Plzen. Dodds, who worked directly with the 28-year-old in his spell in Barry Ferguson 's interim management team and got an insider take on his contract situation, insists it's important the new regime realise the quality they already have in the building as they go about their squad overhaul. He said: 'All I will say is that if you are looking to have a Scottish element as a starting point it would be beneficial to the club to get John's future sorted. 'It was absolutely brilliant for him to be made captain against Plzen because Tav was left out, it was a bit special for him. 'I think because he's Scottish, he gets underestimated. But he has got a bit of pace. He has got leadership, is good in the air, he talks well and is a brilliant passer of the ball. 'Sometimes people look at players in other leagues and say they're brilliant - but it is important to realise what is in the building.' Souttar revealed last week how talks with club chiefs have gone quiet in recent months. But he said: 'I love this place, I love this club. I love being here and that's really all I'll say on the matter. 'I've not really heard much recently, so all I can do is train hard every day. Every day I step on the pitch, I enjoy playing for the Rangers because I know how special the club is to play for. 'Whatever happens, will happen. But every time I pull on that jersey, I'm honoured, and that will never change.' Dodds reckons Souttar's influence off the park is another reason why Rangers chiefs would want to keep him in the building. He said: 'He's got a big part to play. He is a big quiet lad. He is unassuming. He is strong. He does not like any fuss. He is certainly a leader with his displays on the pitch. 'A great lad to work with. He sent me a nice message when we left. 'Again, unassuming, knows the job and what is required. These kind of boys know domestically things have got to get better and will help that situation.'
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
'A big change...': Rangers star addresses Ibrox squad and shares verdict on 'important' Viktoria Plzen win
Rangers responded to their weekend draw with Motherwell with a big win over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League qualifiers at Ibrox. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Rangers defender John Souttar has told his teammates they must continue to stick together in order to achieve their goals this summer their impressive 3-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League qualifying third round first leg at Ibrox last night. Head coach Russell Martin warned his squad they must 'drop their egos' in the aftermath of the underwhelming 1-1 Scottish Premiership draw with Motherwell on Saturday, and raised eyebrows ahead of the game with several changes to his starting XI. Both James Tavernier and Nicolas Raskin were dropped the bench for the visit of the Czech outfit, while new signing Oliver Antman was handed his debut just 24 hours after a £4million move from Go Ahead Eagles. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rangers defender John Souttar was delighted to keep a clean sheet in the 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen last night. | SNS Group His changes paid dividends, though, as the Gers dominated proceedings in Glasgow. Djeidi Gassama opened the scoring after just 15 minutes with a fine right-footed strike, before a Cyriel Dessers penalty on the stroke of half-time doubled their advantage. Great work from debutant Antman saw him cross for Gassama to head home his second of the game shortly after the break. The victory at Ibrox puts Rangers in a commanding position ahead of next week's second leg clash at the Doosan Arena, though they will first return to Ibrox for a clash with Dundee United on Saturday, and the centre-back has reminded the Gers squad they will all be needed once again as they aim to chalk up their first league win of the season. 'We were opening up the middle of the park and getting our best players on the ball,' said Souttar. 'I thought we did that a lot in the first-half. In the second-half we dipped a wee bit and then maybe went back a bit too much, but in the first-half we were really good. It has been spoken about a lot, but it was important that we came out and played a lot better tonight. We know we can play a lot better.' Souttar, 28, wore the captain's armband in the absence of regular skipper Tavernier in the Light Blues starting XI, and was praised for his leadership qualities following the game. Out of contract at the end of the season, Rangers head coach Martin has confirmed he wants the defender to stay at the club beyond next summer, and the Scotland international heaped praise on the new boss's impact in the early weeks of his reign. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A disappointed Nicolas Raskin takes his seat on the Ibrox bench ahead of the Champions League qualifying game against Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday night. | SNS Group 'We have worked really hard in pre-season,' said Souttar. he coaching staff have changed the philosophy of what to do so it was important for us that we performed tonight. It is a big change and the signings that are coming in are going to help us. The gaffer mentioned the people coming off the bench tonight were excellent when they came on as well. It is a long season.
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
John Souttar will continue to give 100 per cent despite doubts over his Rangers future
The 28-year-old Scotland international signed for the Light Blues from Hearts in 2022 and has moved into the final year of his contract. Following the 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifier at Ibrox on Tuesday night, Gers boss Russell Martin was asked about Souttar's contract situation and said: "John knows how I feel about him. Kevin (Thelwell, sporting director) and the gang know how I feel about him. "But on the contract front, it will be dictated by John, his agent and the hierarchy here. I'll keep giving my opinion, for sure, but it's not my job to sort that stuff out." "Look, I love this place. I love this club," said Souttar, who took over the armband from James Tavernier who was dropped to the bench. "I love being here. That's really all I'll say on the matter. "I've not really heard much recently, so all I can do is train hard every day. "Every day I step on the pitch, I enjoy playing for the Rangers because I know how special the club is to play for. "Every time I step on the pitch, I give it 100 per cent, and I'm sure the rest will take care of themselves. "Look, whatever happens, will happen. All I can say is, every time I pull on that jersey, I'm honoured, and that will never change. Every time I step on that pitch, I'll give everything." Martin got the positive reaction he was looking for from his side following the deflating 1-1 draw in the opening William Hill Premiership opener against Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday. The Gers boss hit out at some of his squad and Tavernier, midfielder Nicolas Raskin, attacker Kieran Dowell and striker Danilo were left out for the visit of the Czech side. New signing Oliver Antman, the Finland winger who joined from Go Ahead Eagles on Monday, made an impressive debut with left-back Jefte, midfielder Lyall Cameron and Cyriel Dessers returning and improvement was immediate. Winger Djeidi Gassama scored after 14 minutes, Dessers added a second from the spot just before the interval and Gassama scored a third early in the second half – his fourth European goal in three Euro ties – to put Rangers in a strong position ahead of the return leg next week. Souttar said: "I think when any of us go out in Ibrox we have to put in a big performance, and especially after the weekend, I think we let ourselves down. I think everyone will tell you that. "We did all that work in pre-season, we worked hard and to play the way we did at the weekend, it was disappointing for everyone. "So it was important we bounced back. I think we did that, especially in the first half. "I thought in the second half we maybe dipped a bit, we went back a bit more than we should have. "But I thought in the first half we showed great energy, we passed the ball, everyone was up for it, we moved. "It was enjoyable to play. When we're playing like that it's an enjoyable place to play."
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
John Souttar will continue to give 100 per cent despite doubts over future
The 28-year-old Scotland international signed for the Light Blues from Hearts in 2022 and has moved into the final year of his contract. Following the 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifier at Ibrox on Tuesday night, Gers boss Russell Martin was asked about Souttar's contract situation and said: 'John knows how I feel about him. Kevin (Thelwell, sporting director) and the gang know how I feel about him. 'But on the contract front, it will be dictated by John, his agent and the hierarchy here. I'll keep giving my opinion, for sure, but it's not my job to sort that stuff out.' 'Look, I love this place. I love this club,' said Souttar, who took over the armband from James Tavernier who was dropped to the bench. 'I love being here. That's really all I'll say on the matter. 'I've not really heard much recently, so all I can do is train hard every day. 'Every day I step on the pitch, I enjoy playing for the Rangers because I know how special the club is to play for. 'Every time I step on the pitch, I give it 100 per cent, and I'm sure the rest will take care of themselves. 'Look, whatever happens, will happen. All I can say is, every time I pull on that jersey, I'm honoured, and that will never change. Every time I step on that pitch, I'll give everything.' Martin got the positive reaction he was looking for from his side following the deflating 1-1 draw in the opening William Hill Premiership opener against Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday. The Gers boss hit out at some of his squad and Tavernier, midfielder Nicolas Raskin, attacker Kieran Dowell and striker Danilo were left out for the visit of the Czech side. New signing Oliver Antman, the Finland winger who joined from Go Ahead Eagles on Monday, made an impressive debut with left-back Jefte, midfielder Lyall Cameron and Cyriel Dessers returning and improvement was immediate. Winger Djeidi Gassama scored after 14 minutes, Dessers added a second from the spot just before the interval and Gassama scored a third early in the second half – his fourth European goal in three Euro ties – to put Rangers in a strong position ahead of the return leg next week. Souttar said: 'I think when any of us go out in Ibrox we have to put in a big performance, and especially after the weekend, I think we let ourselves down. I think everyone will tell you that. 'We did all that work in pre-season, we worked hard and to play the way we did at the weekend, it was disappointing for everyone. 'So it was important we bounced back. I think we did that, especially in the first half. 'I thought in the second half we maybe dipped a bit, we went back a bit more than we should have. 'But I thought in the first half we showed great energy, we passed the ball, everyone was up for it, we moved. 'It was enjoyable to play. When we're playing like that it's an enjoyable place to play.'
South Wales Guardian
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
John Souttar will continue to give 100 per cent despite doubts over future
The 28-year-old Scotland international signed for the Light Blues from Hearts in 2022 and has moved into the final year of his contract. Following the 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifier at Ibrox on Tuesday night, Gers boss Russell Martin was asked about Souttar's contract situation and said: 'John knows how I feel about him. Kevin (Thelwell, sporting director) and the gang know how I feel about him. 'But on the contract front, it will be dictated by John, his agent and the hierarchy here. I'll keep giving my opinion, for sure, but it's not my job to sort that stuff out.' 'Look, I love this place. I love this club,' said Souttar, who took over the armband from James Tavernier who was dropped to the bench. 'I love being here. That's really all I'll say on the matter. 'I've not really heard much recently, so all I can do is train hard every day. 'Every day I step on the pitch, I enjoy playing for the Rangers because I know how special the club is to play for. 'Every time I step on the pitch, I give it 100 per cent, and I'm sure the rest will take care of themselves. 'Look, whatever happens, will happen. All I can say is, every time I pull on that jersey, I'm honoured, and that will never change. Every time I step on that pitch, I'll give everything.' Martin got the positive reaction he was looking for from his side following the deflating 1-1 draw in the opening William Hill Premiership opener against Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday. The Gers boss hit out at some of his squad and Tavernier, midfielder Nicolas Raskin, attacker Kieran Dowell and striker Danilo were left out for the visit of the Czech side. New signing Oliver Antman, the Finland winger who joined from Go Ahead Eagles on Monday, made an impressive debut with left-back Jefte, midfielder Lyall Cameron and Cyriel Dessers returning and improvement was immediate. Winger Djeidi Gassama scored after 14 minutes, Dessers added a second from the spot just before the interval and Gassama scored a third early in the second half – his fourth European goal in three Euro ties – to put Rangers in a strong position ahead of the return leg next week. Souttar said: 'I think when any of us go out in Ibrox we have to put in a big performance, and especially after the weekend, I think we let ourselves down. I think everyone will tell you that. 'We did all that work in pre-season, we worked hard and to play the way we did at the weekend, it was disappointing for everyone. 'So it was important we bounced back. I think we did that, especially in the first half. 'I thought in the second half we maybe dipped a bit, we went back a bit more than we should have. 'But I thought in the first half we showed great energy, we passed the ball, everyone was up for it, we moved. 'It was enjoyable to play. When we're playing like that it's an enjoyable place to play.'
