Barry Ferguson has thrown his full weight behind John Souttar as the defender prepares to walk out of Ibrox and into a new chapter abroad.
The Rangers centre-back, frozen out by Derek McInnes since the start of pre-season and told to find a new club, is on the brink of a move to Aris in Greece. For a player who only recently signed a one-year contract extension, it is a swift and stark change of direction.
From mainstay to outcast
Souttar has been an influential figure for Rangers in recent seasons, a Scotland international who, when fit, brought a calm authority to the back line. His problem has rarely been talent. It has been availability.
Fitness issues have stalked his time in Glasgow, limiting his rhythm and forcing a series of resets just when he looked ready to cement his place. Yet even with those concerns, his outright exclusion from McInnes’ plans has raised eyebrows among those who know him best.
One of them is Barry Ferguson.
Ferguson’s backing
Ferguson worked closely with Souttar during his spell as interim manager and saw at close quarters what the defender offered beyond the 90 minutes.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show on 10 September, the Rangers legend did not hide his admiration.
“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.
“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.”
That is not faint praise from a former captain who understands exactly what a Rangers dressing room demands. For Ferguson, Souttar is more than a squad filler. He is a voice, a presence, a standard-bearer.
Aris move closes in
Aris have reached an agreement to sign Souttar, with the 29-year-old expected in Greece shortly. For the player, it is a chance to reset his career away from the scrutiny and intensity of Ibrox, while still operating at a competitive level.
For Rangers, it is a calculated gamble.
McInnes made his stance clear early in pre-season, informing Souttar he was not part of the plans. The manager has doubled down on that call, leaving the defender out completely as the campaign has taken shape. It is a bold move at a time when the club’s margin for error is shrinking.
A risky call at a critical moment
Rangers are already out of Europe. That exit has sharpened the focus on domestic competitions, with McInnes under pressure to deliver silverware. The Premier Sports Cup offers the first real chance, and it comes with no gentle introduction.
Celtic at Ibrox. Quarter-final. 13 September.
On nights like that, experience at centre-back is gold. Souttar, with his caps, his knowledge of the fixture, and his willingness to lead, would not have weakened Rangers’ hand.
Instead, McInnes will lean on Emmanuel Fernandez, Olwethu Makhanya and Ben Godfrey as his central defensive options. Three players, one position group, three trophies to chase in Scotland. It is a thin line to walk over a long, unforgiving season.
If injuries bite, or form dips, the decision to usher Souttar towards the exit could look increasingly fraught.
For now, though, the “chosen one” of previous regimes prepares to swap Govan for Greece, carrying with him the endorsement of a club great and the sense that, in different circumstances, he might still have had a meaningful part to play in Rangers’ story this season.
