If a report from the Edinburgh News is believed to be true, Rangers target John Souttar is set to hold talks with an array of suitors over a pre-contract agreement this window. The Hearts centre-half is available on a Bosman next summer and therefore, assessing options amid interest from the likes of Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United south of the border.
The 25-year-old Scotland international rejected improved terms and decided to run his contract down at Tynecastle Park. He is ready to explore opportunities elsewhere and the inquiry from England has made him intrigued over a potential summer transfer. Although he prefers to experience the English game, it’s too early to rule Rangers out from the race.
Souttar progressed through the youth ranks of Dundee United before breaking into their senior side back at the age of 16. The centre-back went on to make 73 senior appearances for the Tangerines, with whom he also featured as a right fullback and deep-lying playmaker. His versatility grabbed Hearts’ attention who snapped him up for a minuscule fee of around £120,000 six years ago. So far he has appeared more than 150 times for the Jam Tarts overcoming severe ankle and Achilles tendon injuries prior to the current campaign.
Why Rangers Must Keep Up The Chase
Rangers, meanwhile, are in need of defensive reinforcements with Connor Goldson likely to part ways in the coming days. He has not penned a new deal to extend his Ibrox stint and the Light Blues are braced for his summer exit. Impressive Leon Balogun will be 34 before the new season kicks off, whereas the persistent fitness woes of Filip Helander must be a worrying sign for Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
On-loan Nikola Katic might still reclaim a place from next season onwards, however, Jack Simpson has fallen out of favour after failing to grab his opportunities in the heart of the backline. Calvin Bassey has impressed as a makeshift central defender, but the young Nigerian is more effective as a left fullback with his energetic runs, crosses and the cut insides from the flank.
Having said that, the Gers have already initiated the process of bolstering the defensive line by completing an 18-month loan deal (with an option to buy) for New York City FC defender James Sands. The USMNT international is rated highly back in his homeland but would need time to attune to the aggression of Scottish football. Souttar could be viewed as the like-for-like alternative to Goldson and the club thus must keep up the chase along with the English admirers.
