Barry Ferguson Supports John Souttar's Move from Rangers

Barry Ferguson has thrown his weight behind John Souttar as the defender edges towards the Ibrox exit.

The Scotland international was told at the start of pre-season that he was not part of Derek McInnes’ plans and should find a new club. Now, with Aris having reached an agreement to sign him and the centre-back expected in Greece shortly, Souttar is finally close to that fresh start.

The timing is striking. Only recently, the 29-year-old signed a one-year contract extension at Rangers. He has been an important figure in recent seasons at Ibrox, a presence on the pitch and a voice off it, yet has been frozen out since McInnes took charge.

Ferguson, who worked closely with Souttar during his spell as interim manager, cannot understand it.

“I worked very closely with John for three months, and I've got to be honest with you, he was outstanding for me. A real good professional. He was a really good leader in the dressing room,” he told the Go Radio Football Show on 10 September.

“It was a surprise not being involved since the start of the season. Wherever he goes, they're getting a top centre-half in my opinion.”

Those words cut through the noise around Souttar’s injury record. His fitness problems at Rangers are well documented, and they have undeniably limited his impact. Yet Ferguson is adamant there is still a defender of real value there, one who can organise, talk, and steady a back line and a dressing room.

From McInnes’ perspective, the decision is ruthless but clear. Rangers have been knocked out of Europe and the manager knows domestic trophies will define his first season. The Premier Sports Cup offers the first shot at silverware, with Ibrox hosting Celtic in a quarter-final on 13 September.

This is precisely the kind of occasion where experience at centre-back can matter. Instead, McInnes has chosen to go into a demanding campaign with Emmanuel Fernandez, Olwethu Makhanya and Ben Godfrey as his three main options in the heart of defence.

It is a bold call. For a club chasing all three domestic competitions, it is also a risky one.

Souttar, once seen as a long-term pillar of the Rangers defence and now the “chosen one” for Aris, will try to rebuild his career in Greece. If McInnes finds himself short at the back when the fixtures pile up and the pressure cranks higher, this may be one decision that refuses to go away.