(L-R) John Souttar of Scotland, Xavi Simons of Holland during the International Friendly match between Holland v Scotland at the Johan Cruijff A…Photo by Roy Lazet/Soccrates/Getty Images
Time for John Souttar to make Scotland decision after Steve Clarke disrespect
Rangers used to provide the core to the Scotland national team, now, they are lucky to get one or two players in the squad.
Of those selected, Connor Barron might have a future in midfield given the ages of Kenny McLean and John McGinn, but it is John Souttar who has every right to feel agrieved about his lack of game time as he reports back at Auchenhowie for Rangers.
Souttar has just nine caps for his country with players like Scott McKenna, Ryan Porteous, Jack Hendry and Grant Hanley all having significantly more, for whatever reason, Steve Clarke just doesn’t rate him.
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John Souttar of Scotland looks on during the friendly match between Netherlands and Scotland at Johan Cruyff Arena on March 22, 2024 in Amsterdam, …
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Time for John Souttar to rethink Scotland career
This is no more evident than Scotland’s recent run of form and goals conceded.
Only one win in 13 games – against Gibraltar – suggests that the defence isn’t doing its job and yet Clarke refuses to budge.
Hanley has played just nine times in 2024 and only made two appearances this season.
He isn’t that good a player that Clarke should be bending over backwards to play him.
Additionally, it’s not like Hanley is playing for Man City or Arsenal, he’s not getting a game for Norwich City.
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Souttar, on the other hand, has shown that he is over the worst of his injury problems and a consistent figure in Philippe Clement’s Rangers.
If anything, Souttar has been Rangers best centre-half so far this season.
At international level, being comfortable in possession and having recovery pace is hugely important, Hanley has neither.
Souttar knows why international break would help him
With the ever-growing demands of the football calendar and Souttar’s injury record, maybe now would be a good time to take a break from Scotland duty.
Clarke didn’t even pick Souttar for the European Championships which shows where he ranks the Gers number five and, reflecting on the rest in the summer, the 27-year old could do with considering his options:
“I played a lot of football last year and this has been the first time I’ve really had the chance to have that break and let my body recover from last year. So I’m feeling good and looking forward to the start of the season.
“I wouldn’t call what happened a blessing. But looking back maybe it will be a good thing getting that rest and letting my body recover because I played a lot of football compared to previous years. So fingers crossed that in the long run I’ll be looking back thinking it was a good thing.
“It’s part of football. There are going to be disappointments whether it’s in games or life. There are going to be disappointments and it’s about how you handle that.
“Then how you bounce back from it. It just motivated me to get better. I spent the summer looking back on my season and looking at improving where I can.
“I was obviously part of the training camp so I was close (to making the squad). I was as close as you can be. But it was a decision, one way or the other, that I wasn’t to be involved.”
Ryan Jack consistently came back from international duty injured and Callum McGregor looks like a new player across the city without the burden of a 10-month fixture list.
Souttar has forced his way into being first choice at Rangers, if he wants to stay there, looking after his body is his best chance.
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