John Souttar must be booted out of Rangers rebuild after international embarrassment
John Souttar has fallen drastically down the pecking order at Rangers, and he’s just proved to the rest of the world exactly why that is.
Emmanuel Fernandez and Nasser Djiga were often the preferred centre-back partnership at Ibrox during the 2025-26 campaign, with Souttar sitting on the bench for the majority of the second half of the season.
He is clearly a respected player, worth keeping around for his knowledge and experience, as he put pen to paper on a new deal back in February, potentially seeing him stick around until the summer of 2027.
However, if Danny Rohl really wants to rebuild the current squad and create a powerhouse in the Scottish Premiership next season, Souttar needs to be on his way out of Ibrox as soon as possible.
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VISIT THE RANGERS TRANSFER HUBJohn Souttar embarrasses himself in Scotland vs Curacao
Rohl has already sent a message to the rest of the league, with the Gers signing Lawrence Shankland on a free transfer from Hearts, and the defence should be next, especially with James Tavernier leaving.
While Souttar has another year left on his deal, and the defender is going to the 2026 World Cup with Scotland, his recent performance for the national team is likely to make many wince.
The Scots took on Curacao in an international friendly on Saturday, 30 May, and it was the team ranked 82nd in the world who took the lead. And it was Sheffield United’s Tahith Chong who rocked Steve Clarke’s side.
| John Souttar vs Curacao | Stats [FotMob] |
| Minutes played | 45 |
| Touches | 58 |
| Passing accuracy | 89% (48/54) |
| Chances created | 0 |
| Tackles | 0 |
| Aerial duels won | 33% (1/3) |
| Fouls committed | 1 |
While it was a well-taken goal from the 26-year-old, it was schoolboy defending from Souttar, who ended up on his backside during his attempt to defend against the attacker, who failed to score in 2025-26.
Rangers may have already found Souttar’s replacement
Scotland were able to turn the game around, mainly after Curacao’s Jurgen Locadia got himself sent off for an elbow, but it really couldn’t have been a worse start at Hampden Park.
Souttar got himself into a good position to defend the goal, only to let Chong cut back inside and fire past Craig Gordon, and Rohl will know that the defender is on his last legs back at Ibrox.
Tahith Chong gives Curacao the lead at Hampden.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/fZVLlgfpI1
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) May 30, 2026
Recent reports suggest that the Gers are interested in Excelsior star Casper Widell, with Ibrox seen as a “dream move” for the centre-half, and that would suggest changes in the back line.
Rangers want to do everything to keep Fernandez, and with interest in Luke Graham of Dundee, Souttar will be counting his days in the Scottish Premiership, or he should be, at least.
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