Physically, John Souttar was struggling with an ankle injury he’d picked up at Hearts.
Mentally? God only knows how the Rangers defender was coping after the tragic loss of his brother Aaron just 13 days previously. Either way, he shouldn’t have played in the club’s opening Premiership game of the season at Livingston.
Souttar admits that himself now. When he was subbed off after 67 minutes, we didn’t see him again for seven months. Eventually, he needed surgery on the ankle. And at the same time as going through a grieving process he had to get his head around another lengthy lay-off and a false start to his Ibrox career. Souttar’s resilience is unquestionable. But as he ponders how his Rangers journey began that day in West Lothian, he accepts that he wasn’t truthful enough to the club’s medical staff – or himself.
As a result, fans have yet to see the best of the Scotland centre-back. And despite now being back in the fold for Michael Beale’s side, fans are left wondering if Souttar will be permanently plagued with injuries. The player is adamant that won’t be the case.
But he’s revealed the regrets he has over declaring himself fit for that Livi game in August. Souttar said: “Looking back, I should probably have been a bit more honest. But when you sign for a club like Rangers, you just feel like you have to play.
“I probably wasn’t 100 per cent honest with the medical staff. It’s just in my character to play through those sort of things. Looking back, I should have said I couldn’t play – but that’s me. That’s what I am. The last six months have been difficult. Signing for Rangers, you have all these expectations in your head of how it’s going to go.
“It didn’t pan out the way I wanted at the start for one reason or another. People will probably say I’m injury prone but you’ve got to be mentally strong within yourself. You’ve got to have that self belief and focus. You can’t listen to anyone apart from yourself.
“You have to get yourself back to the standard you know you can reach. It’s not about proving people wrong, it’s about proving it to yourself. Thankfully, now I feel brilliant. I’ve been training for four or five weeks and feel class. I’m now looking forward to properly starting my Rangers career.”
Souttar says it’s payback time now for the Auchenhowie medics who have got him to a place, physically, where he hasn’t been in a long time. After rupturing his Achilles tendon THREE times at Hearts, there are few players in Scotland who are stronger mentally. But he’s determined to prove to doubters that he can play at the highest level for Rangers and Scotland.
Souttar said: “I’ve been to see all the top people in the country and I’m back to 100 per cent now. I’m grateful to everyone at the club and the way they’ve looked after me. They’ve got me back to this point and now it’s my turn to repay them.
“It’s a relief. For the first time in a while I feel I’m playing without any concerns about how my body is or having to manage it. To feel 100 per cent is a massive relief. It was just another obstacle to get over for me.
“Having been through it before definitely helps but it’s mentally frustrating. When you join a new club you want to show everyone what you can bring and the attributes you’ve got.
“But when you’re on the sidelines watching the boys play in the Champions League and Old Firm games – things you dreamed about as a kid – that’s difficult. It just gives me more of an appetite to work hard and do everything I can to get back to a high standard.
“I want to be the best player I can be for Rangers and Scotland and play as many games as I can. I’ve said before how much it means to me to play for my country. But I want to get in this Rangers team and prove to people that I CAN play here. Everything else will take care of itself after that.”
Souttar has come on as a sub in Rangers’ last three games as Beale gradually integrates him back into the side. After the international break, he’ll be looking for more minutes ahead of an Old Firm triple header in April that includes a Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic at Hampden.
He has a job on his hands trying to dislodge the current centre-back pairing of Connor Goldson and Ben Davies – but that challenge is something the 26-year-old is relishing.
Souttar, who Beale rates highly, said: “That’s why you come to a club like Rangers. There’s going to be quality players in every position and you need to prove to the manager you deserve a chance.
“It’s not going to be easy but I’ll just concentrate on myself and do everything I can to push those two boys to get involved. It’s encouraging that the manager has faith in me. But it’s down to me to back that up on the pitch.
“I have to prove to everyone it was the right decision to bring me to Rangers. I need a run of games and that’s what I’m working hard for. Hopefully I’ve turned the corner towards getting that. I feel brilliant now so I’m sure it will come.”
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