John Souttar didn't get a single second of action during the World Cup. But events that unfolded during his time in the Scotland camp may just ensure that situation changes dramatically at club level.
New Manager, New Opportunity
Ben Godfrey has been snared by Derek McInnes on loan from Atalanta, but with the likes of last year's loanees Derek Cornelius and Nasser Djiga back at their parent clubs, Souttar has a huge opportunity. Before he headed to the United States with his country, the domestic campaign had ended sourly for him. Shaky in a win over Dundee United at the beginning of April, the defender was bundled back onto the bench by boss Danny Rohl. The German reinstated his rearguard partnership of Manny Fernandez and Djiga as Souttar was left stuck on the sidelines.
Interestingly, the German's chosen pair capitulated when it mattered. With a title on the line, Rangers crumbled to the loss of 13 goals in the next five games to see their flag hopes destroyed. Souttar only came back on the final day for a virtual bounce game when Celtic and Hearts were the ones that mattered.
Mental Toughness and Scottish Core
Had Rohl stayed in place, the upcoming term may not have looked as promising for Souttar. But his exit to RB Salzburg and the arrival of McInnes surely changes the narrative. No one understands the need for a strong Scottish core more than the new manager. Even Rohl began to understand that need as his team collapsed through that run-in. The mental toughness required to cope under the severest scrutiny in the hottest of battles was missing.
McInnes hasn't signed Ross McCrorie — adding to Lawrence Shankland who arrived shortly before him — just because of Rangers leanings. He's signed them because they are players who can do a job for him and have a clear handle on the environment they are entering. Souttar fits that profile.
Souttar's Commitment
When Souttar signed his contract extension in February of this year, his words spoke of a man who knows what's needed. He said: “I understand the position I am in, how much of a privilege it is to play here, the demands and I am personally really happy and excited to know my future is here.” Crucially, even though he didn't know the future would see his own career path alter spectacularly and he also overlooked the stopper plenty in the closing weeks of the campaign, Rohl also seemed happy enough. He said: “Keeping our best players and our leaders is very important to having success going forward, while having a Scottish presence in the squad is also going to be key.”
McInnes' Track Record
For many, the former Dundee United's best attributes and performances come when his back is to the wall and he is just asked to be a defender. Stepping out and playing with the ball is all well and good, but being tough, reading the game and making interventions, tackles and blocks are what matter for McInnes as a defender. Winning headers, dominating attackers. You just have to look at the way Stuart Findlay grew again under the management of McInnes during their time together. Findlay has all the qualities to be a top centre-back. He's already been in Scotland squads for Steve Clarke and starred at Killie for that boss to prove that theory. But, when returning to Kilmarnock from Oxford United at the behest of McInnes, he went up another notch with ability, consistency and leadership. It's why he was one of the first guys he turned to when making the move into the hotseat at Hearts.
Craig Halkett is another glistening example. He returned sharper, fitter to work with McInnes and was a stalwart for the Tynecastle side. He was potentially heading for the World Cup before suffering a horrendous Achilles injury in the final week of the campaign.
Pathway to Revival
Souttar has shown in the past for club and country that he is capable of doing it, but consistency and injuries have been an issue. McInnes' appointment, and the Rangers approach now of Scots at the core, opens a pathway for him to storm back to his best and defy his critics amongst the support. Souttar has always threatened to be a high-class Rangers performer, yet, for one reason or another, he's never really commanded in the way expected when he signed on a pre-contract agreement from Hearts four years ago. However, at the age of 29, he's approaching what should be the peak of his years as a central defender. With experiences good and bad gained, setbacks handled and a new manager like McInnes in the building, it might finally be time for his full Ibrox take-off.
