John Souttar returns to Rangers’ squad for the first time since the start of the season, as confirmed by Michael Beale.
The Scotland international played on the opening day of the Premiership campaign away to Livingston which has turned out to be his only outing so far. That could change with the former Hearts player on the verge of action once again and set to be included at Ibrox tomorrow, for the visit of Kilmarnock.
With Fil Helander’s ongoing absence and Leon King not being utilised by Michael Beale as well as James Sands departure this week, the return of Souttar provides some very welcome cover at the very least.
Hopefully, if he can prove his fitness, he will soon be in a position to properly challenge the partnership of Connor Goldson and Ben Davies.
His injury issues are well documented and the club can ill afford another setback so this needs to be the emergence of the central defender for the rest of the season.
📸 Click below to view the latest Training Gallery 👇
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) March 2, 2023
Souttar as well as others were pictured in training yesterday, as above.
Boss Michael Beale said of his returning players, ahead of the Premiership clash against Kilmarnock tomorrow:
“John Souttar is back in the squad, Ridvan trained last week and in the three days into the final we had 24 fit players training. Rabbi Matondo was back, Scott Arfield was back.”
“Ianis Hagi has just got a loading problem with his knee. Sometimes it reacts to certain things so he’s in and out of training but he’s fit for the weekend.”
“John and Ridvan are too but with Ridvan it’s probably more with an eye on the cup tie next weekend. He’s back in training but only for seven days so I’d like him maybe to get some minutes in a B Team game or behind closed doors just to make sure. But he looks in a good place.”
The make-up of the final squad for tomorrow will make for interesting reading with at least a couple of players set to get some much needed minutes on the pitch.
These players will not be starting team for weeks and match fitness will take time and there is a good chance off setbacks hagi been out with reconstruction of his knee might never reach full movement the other players are injury histories