Rangers legend Barry Ferguson believes John Souttar could make the switch to Ibrox next year, telling The Go Radio Football Show that Scottish Premiership rivals Celtic should be all over him too.
Making his first international appearance after three years in the wilderness, Hearts’ long-serving centre-back certainly made up for lost time on Monday night.
As Scotland swatted aside an all-conquering Denmark team who had won each of their nine previous games in World Cup qualifying – arguably the nation’s most impressive, most complete performance since the turn of the Century – it was Souttar who set them on their way, opening the scoring with a 35th minute header.
Restricted to just 12 league appearances in the last two seasons due to a series of injury issues, few would begrudge the 25-year-old centre-back his moment in the sun.
In fact, Souttar has been so impressive since his return to Hearts’ XI that, according to The Mail (17 November, page 83), the number of clubs eyeing up a cut-price deal for the out-of-contract centre-half has reached double figures already.
Scottish Premiership champions Rangers are understood to be one of his many suitors amid doubts over the long-term futures of Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun.
Will John Souttar swap Hearts for Rangers in 2022?
“It looks a real possibility,” former Rangers captain Ferguson said when asked about the prospect of Souttar swapping Edinburgh for Glasgow.
“It’s great to see him back (after the injuries). I thought he was excellent (for Scotland). He’s a player I think has got real potential to go onto bigger and better things.
“If he becomes available for the price they are saying, £500,000, I think it’s a chance Rangers and Celtic should be taking.”
Souttar was linked with a move to Rangers back in 2019 too, with then-manager Steven Gerrard admitting his admiration for the Aberdeen-born stopper.
Souttar, formerly of Dundee United, has also been linked with a move south of the border to Middlesbrough or Blackburn Rovers.
It is believed he could also join his younger brother Harry at Stoke City.
Rangers, meanwhile, are expected to appoint Giovanni van Bronckhorst as their new manager sooner rather than later.
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