The Light Blues stopper – who only has eight months of his deal to run – admits the recent crisis has been his toughest period
17:40, 17 Oct 2025Updated 19:14, 17 Oct 2025
It’s safe to say this isn’t what John Souttar signed up for at Rangers.
A solitary League Cup triumph in four years. Four different full-time gaffers in that time.
And sustained periods of turbulence and turmoil at Ibrox.
But the Scotland defender admits the club’s recent crisis has been the toughest period he’s EVER endured at Gers.
Souttar only has eight months of his contract left but no-one is even speaking about that.
For the club’s owners and football department, talk of a potential new deal will have been put on hold until they get a new boss.
If, as expected, Kevin Muscat is appointed to replace Russell Martin, Souttar will be on to manager number five.
As a player, he accepts performances and results have been nowhere near good enough this term.
And the 29-year-old confessed that the short-lived Martin era has been the most difficult yet in his time at the club.
Kevin Muscat
He’s at a loss to try and explain why it didn’t work under the previous manager but says players now have to focus on picking up much-needed victories.
As he prepared for the must-win Premiership clash with Dundee United, where Stevie Smith will take interim charge, Souttar said: “It’s obviously a bit strange coming back (from international duty) to no manager.
“This has probably been the toughest chapter in my career but we need to stand up and be counted now.
“No one likes to be in the position we’re in, no one likes to be involved in some of the performances we’ve put in.
“We know it’s not been good enough. It’s important we represent the club at the weekend.
“Everyone knows the results haven’t been good enough. At times I thought we showed a bit of promise.
“I thought it was a unique style of play (under Martin) and one the boys enjoyed on the training pitch. But ultimately at the weekend we didn’t get the results you need to be here.
“We need to win games now, it’s as simple as that. How we get them I don’t know. But it’s important we get back to winning.”
Martin might have bore the brunt of the criticism during a disastrous start to the domestic campaign.
But Souttar and the rest of the players have also got it in the neck from a disgruntled Rangers. support. He’s big enough and experienced enough to take the flak.
And even though Martin paid the ultimate price with his job – he’s adamant that players must shoulder a huge chunk of the blame for the manager’s demise at Ibrox.
Souttar said: “Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
“It doesn’t matter what style of play you have – if you’re not getting results people are going to be negative.
“The players have got to take responsibility, we’re the ones that take the pitch.
“Whatever manager is here, the lads have to take responsibility because there were games when we weren’t good enough.
“Attack, defence, on the ball, off the ball. We’ve got to take responsibility for that.”
Russell Martin and John Souttar
Smith will be in the dug-out for the visit of Dundee United, while Rangers thrash out a deal for Muscat to become boss.
The Aussie might not be in Glasgow for another month which isn’t ideal given Souttar and Co have massive games in the Premiership, Europe – and a Premier Sports semi-final against Celtic at Hampden.
Having gone through four managers in three years, the centre-back says it’s vital the club get this next appointment right.
And he’s praying that whoever comes in can finally turn their fortunes around after years of limited success.
But firstly, the priority is to ensure there are no more dropped points when Jim Goodwin’s side come to Ibrox.
Souttar said: “This is obviously a really important decision for the club and one they want to take their time on.
“I’ve been here for four years and it’s been difficult.
“We’ve had some good spells, but we’ve had a lot of bad spells.
“In the summer when the new owners came in there was a lot of positivity.
“Good things take time but it’s important we get there and get there quickly.
“Whoever comes in next, all the boys will be behind him because everyone is desperate for this club to do well.
“And it’s important we go out on Saturday and get a result.”