Dave McPherson has warned John Souttar’s injury record and recent form could cost him a place in Scotland’s World Cup starting plans.
The Rangers defender has made just four appearances since March after a stop-start spell plagued by fitness issues and slipping down Danny Rohl’s pecking order at Ibrox.
And former centre-back McPherson reckons that lack of game time could leave Steve Clarke with serious doubts ahead of the tournament in America. McPherson, who featured at Italia 90, said: “It’s a difficult choice for Steve. [Scottish Sun]
“A lot of people might have Souttar in as one of the first picks. But he didn’t play an awful lot for Rangers in the second half of the season.
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“Is that down to a form problem or an injury problem?”
Clarke has consistently relied on experienced options such as Grant Hanley and Scott McKenna, and McPherson believes that trust could count against Souttar. He added: “When you look at the likes of Hanley and McKenna, Clarke clearly rates them as dependable, solid defenders.
“He wants reliability and is loyal to the players who have given him that over many years. I would be the exact same. Clarke is unlikely to take chances on someone who is out of form or has injury problems.
“If they need to come off after half an hour, it can disrupt everything you’re trying to do in a game.”
