John Souttar's Rangers Future Decision Expected Soon
Derek McInnes expects John Souttar’s Rangers future to move quickly, with the manager admitting a decision could come within “the next two or three days” as interest from two clubs sharpens.
The Scotland defender is still at Ibrox despite the Scottish transfer window shutting, but the door remains open for him to leave if the right offer lands on the table. One option, McInnes says, is already edging ahead.
Rangers wait as interest gathers pace
Souttar trained as normal on Thursday morning, preparing for Sunday’s Old Firm showdown with Celtic, yet his situation hangs over the squad. Rangers are willing to sanction a departure if a suitable opportunity emerges, and the market elsewhere means the clock has not yet run out.
Greece has been the loudest backdrop to the noise. Aris Thessaloniki are understood to be keen, with reports in the country claiming a €1.2 million bid had been accepted and even suggesting a medical had been pencilled in for Sunday.
McInnes moved to cool that talk. The deal, he insists, is not at the finish line.
“I spoke to John this morning, he trained, there's a bit of interest in him from one or two clubs, one club maybe a bit further down the line than the other but I think it's something that could develop but I don't think it's at that stage yet but maybe something will happen over the next two or three days,” he said.
The Greek transfer window runs until September 15, keeping that route open while the domestic market is closed.
Long-term call already made
The Rangers boss has already been blunt with Souttar about where he stands. His path at Ibrox is blocked.
“John has been told his long-term future would be best served elsewhere,” McInnes said earlier in the week, before the match against St Mirren.
“But if nothing materialises, then of course we'll honour his contract, and he'll come back into things."
That remains the stance. If a move fails to materialise, Souttar stays and fights for minutes. If one of the two interested clubs firm up their position, Rangers are ready to talk.
McInnes again underlined that one of those suitors has pushed on more than the other, without naming either: “There's a bit of interest in him from one or two clubs, one club maybe a bit further down the line than the other.”
Surplus in a rebuilt defence
Souttar’s slide down the pecking order has been clear. Rangers reshaped their defence over the summer, bringing in Ben Godfrey and Olwethu Makhanya to join Emmanuel Fernandez in the central unit. With those additions, the Scotland international has drifted to the fringes.
He had been linked with moves earlier in the window but remained at Ibrox when the main market closed, leaving only foreign avenues such as Greece on the table.
Clinton Nsiala is another centre-back available for departure, though a potential switch to Cyprus has fallen away for now.
So Souttar trains on, waiting. Two clubs in the background, one edging closer, a deadline abroad still open. The next few days will decide whether his Rangers story quietly restarts – or ends.
