Rangers want to bring Scotland hero to Ibrox, but pundit backs Celtic to battle for £500k deal

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Rangers are being linked with a move for Hearts defender John Souttar – and Marvin Bartley thinks Celtic need to join the race.

Souttar was a hero for Scotland on Monday night as he scored the opener in a memorable 2-0 win over Denmark.

This was a huge moment for Souttar, who has battled back from an outrageous number of injuries over the years.

The hope now is that Souttar can string together games on a consistent basis and show just how good he can be.

Souttar, 25, already has three goals in 11 league games this season and is suddenly attracting major interest.

The Scottish Daily Mail (17/11, back page) claim that Rangers are battling Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City for Souttar’s signature.

A fee of around £500,000 has been suggested, and Souttar has been backed for success at Ibrox.

Livingston midfielder and pundit Marvin Bartley has told Go Radio that he thinks Souttar is a ‘magnet’ and always in the right position.

Bartley added that both Celtic and Rangers should be looking to sign Souttar, believing he would improve either defence instantly amid questions over centre backs at each club.

“His positioning was fantastic and that’s what he does seem like – a magnet – because he’s in the right position at the right time.

“Celtic and Rangers have to be looking at him,” said Bartley. “We’ve got the Goldson situation at Rangers with his contract. You’ve got Carter-Vickers on loan at Celtic so he’s going to go back at the end of the season.”

“I think John Souttar goes into either of those defences and makes them better and again at 25 years of age he is only going to get better.

“We talked earlier about Liam Cooper at 30 being in his prime as a centre half because you get the experience and you’re positioning is even better. John Souttar’s five years younger than him. There will be teams down in England also looking but I think when Celtic and Rangers come calling it’s very difficult for a Scottish player to say ‘No, I’m going down to England.” he added.