John Souttar can't change the past. He can look to the future.
The defender has been through more than his fair share of trials and tribulations in the game and his first campaign at Ibrox has perhaps been the most testing on and off the park.
There will come a time over the summer when Souttar has the chance to sit down and reflect. Right now, he is focusing his attentions onwards and upwards.
Victory over Celtic on Saturday was more than merited for Michael Beale and his squad. For Souttar, it was a moment to cherish as he opened his account for the Light Blues.
The win means little in the grand scheme of things for Rangers but it does at least raise the spirits heading into what will be a summer of significant changes under Beale's guidance.
“I enjoyed that," Souttar said as he capped a fine all-round performance with a terrific header from a James Tavernier corner. "It’s been a frustrating season for myself and the team so to get that goal was a big moment for myself and Rangers.
“It was a good feeling to score. That’s why you play football, to score big goals like that.
“Thankfully I managed to do it today. Because of all the frustration, it just adds to how much it means.
“When you’ve been out for so long, you dream of moments like that. That’s what keeps you going in football. That’s why you keep working hard - days like that.
“It was a huge game for everyone in that dressing-room today. There will be a lot of changes in the summer, the manager has already said that.
“So everyone had a point to prove today, individually and collectively. I think you saw that today. Whether you started or came off the bench, it was 11 boys with a point to prove.
“That has to be a glimpse into the future for Rangers under this manager.
“You don’t want to look too much at the result. It was obviously massive but it has to be a glimpse into the future.
🗣️ "This is the derby day that Rangers have wanted so badly!!" John Souttar heads Rangers into a 2-0 lead in the derby! Who will get the next goal? 🔽 pic.twitter.com/kz5Z2cJXfZ
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 13, 2023
“This season hasn’t been good enough, we all know that. Next year it has to be a lot better."
The header from Souttar doubled Rangers' lead and came at a perfect time in the first half as Beale's side added to an early effort from Todd Cantwell.
Fashion Sakala rounded off the scoring with 20 minutes remaining to ensure Rangers avoided an entire season without an Old Firm win on their record.
It has been another difficult campaign at Ibrox. This was nothing more than a consolation win but it was significant in many regards for Souttar as he put his Parkhead mistake behind him and proved himself on the biggest stage.
Souttar said: “The atmosphere was electric today and that helped the players. The way we started the game helped with that.
“We were on the front foot and aggressive. The crowd came with us.
“It showed that if we play like that, they’ll follow us. When they do that, it’s massive for us.
“I feel like I’m slowly getting back to my best. It’s always difficult when you don’t have that pre-season behind you.
“But I’ve done a lot of work in the gym and at the training ground with the staff to get myself back to a level where I can perform to the best of my ability.
“It’s my third our fourth start since I’ve came back so it’ll take time - but I felt good out there.
“At the time, when I was asked how bad I felt after the game at Celtic Park, I said it was about how I reacted.
“There will always be moments like that in football when you think it’s the end of the world.
“But it’s important you stay in the middle, whether it’s good or bad. There will be different moments and it’s about how you bounce back.
“The feeling now is obviously a lot better to what I experienced at Parkhead.”
