Big night for John Souttar as Rangers man shines despite Cowardly Clarke | OneFootball

Finally Scotland’s ‘manager’ Steve Clarke relented and started Rangers star John Souttar at the rearguard in the Nations League, just to make Ibrox Noise look silly we’re sure, after we were convinced he’d overlook the boy as usual.

And guess what, surprise surprise, Souttar had a solid night, while hardly covering himself in massive Man of the Match glory, he showed up and did himself justice, giving himself every chance of further national selections against a very high quality side in Croatia.

His night stats read 2 blocked shots (Souttar is very, very good at these), 3 clearances and a tackle. He faced 4 duels and won 2 of them, and only lost the ball 8 times of his solid 67 touches.

Souttar will never be a Carlos Cuellar, a Davie Weir, a Boumsong or even a Bougherra – these were Rangers class players, outstanding defenders who top managers brought in knowing Rangers needed that level at the rearguard.

Ross Wilson was the man who brought Souttar in, and he was never more than a good defender who will rarely let his side down.

He isn’t Walter Smith or Helicopter Sunday Rangers level, but in the place we are currently at, he does a good job, until maybe one day we are able to afford and cultivate outstanding players to come to Rangers, or rear our own.

And he’s doing that job for Scotland too – a reliable, dependable defender who puts his body where it hurts and never hides.

It’s good to see that recognition for the national team – the Scottish system is pretty poor right now, after the ‘glory’ of getting to the Euros Steve Clarke’s shambolic management has been exposed for the farce it is, and the NT went straight from glory to failure.

It’s easy to say this current Scotland is at Berti Vogts level, having quickly plummeted from securing Germany to then rewarding a cowardly manager with a further deal.

But Souttar is at least doing his bit.