AliousKris Boyd holds John Souttar in high regard, acknowledging the numerous obstacles the Rangers defender has surmounted throughout his career.
This season has offered scant reasons for Rangers to celebrate, yet Souttar has almost certainly been a key figure in their standout moments, such as their recent victories against Fenerbahce and Celtic. His significance to the team is underscored by the fact that Rangers have secured only seven wins in the 13 Scottish Premiership matches he missed this year.
Souttar has also elevated his status within the Scotland national team, contributing to their 1-0 triumph over Greece in the UEFA Nations League play-offs on March 20. Boyd was left in awe of Souttar’s resurgence, describing his performance alongside Grant Hanley at center-back as “immense.”
Writing in his Scottish Sun column on March 21, the Sky Sports commentator commended the duo for reclaiming their spots in the Scotland lineup despite enduring a combined total of four Achilles ruptures—setbacks that could have ended many players’ careers.
Boyd singled out Souttar for special recognition, praising his remarkable recovery after being omitted from Scotland’s European Championship squad last year, calling his journey “incredible.”
“John Souttar and Grant Hanley were colossal at the heart of defense,” Boyd noted. “After standout performances against Fenerbahce and Celtic, Souttar was a rock against Greece and has established himself as Scotland’s top center-back. Less than a year ago, he was left out of the Euros team, but his comeback has been so seamless you’d hardly notice.”
Souttar’s resilience extends beyond his club exploits. While managers often watch their players’ international performances with bated breath, Souttar’s commanding display in Scotland’s 1-0 victory over Greece—where he played the full 90 minutes alongside Hanley—was a delight to behold.
According to FotMob, he recorded 44 touches, the fewest among players who completed the match, but boasted a 90 percent pass completion rate with 28 successful passes.
Defensively, he shone with 11 actions, including nine clearances and two blocks, while never once being dribbled past. He won his only ground duel, though he came up short in his lone aerial contest.
Souttar also contributed to Scotland’s build-up play, attempting five long balls and connecting on two, showcasing his versatility for the Tartan Army.
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