John Souttar's Rangers Future Decision Looms

John Souttar’s Rangers future is edging towards a decision, with Derek McInnes admitting a move could take shape “over the next two or three days” as interest from two clubs gathers pace.

The Scotland defender remains at Ibrox despite the closure of the Scottish transfer window, but the door is clearly open. Rangers are prepared to let him go if the right offer lands, and McInnes made it clear one of the suitors has already pushed further ahead than the other.

Souttar trained as normal on Thursday morning. He is still part of the group, still preparing for Sunday’s Old Firm clash with Celtic. Yet everyone around the club knows his situation is in flux.

Reports in Greece have repeatedly linked him with Aris Thessaloniki, with suggestions a €1.2 million bid had been accepted and that a medical was pencilled in for Sunday. The Greek window runs until September 15, giving Aris and any other interested club more time to strike a deal.

McInnes, though, moved quickly to cool talk that the transfer is almost done.

“I spoke to John this morning, he trained, there’s a bit of interest in him from one or two clubs, one club maybe a bit further down the line than the other,” the Rangers manager said, addressing the latest speculation. “I think it’s something that could develop but I don’t think it’s at that stage yet, but maybe something will happen over the next two or three days.”

That line will only fuel the guessing game over Souttar’s next move. McInnes refused to name either club, but his hint that one is “further down the line” suggests the picture could sharpen quickly.

This is not a sudden shift. McInnes has already been upfront that Souttar’s long-term future lies away from Ibrox.

“John has been told his long-term future would be best served elsewhere,” he said earlier in the week, before the midweek match against St Mirren. “But if nothing materialises, then of course we’ll honour his contract, and he’ll come back into things.”

The context is clear. Rangers have rebuilt their centre-back department. Ben Godfrey and Olwethu Makhanya arrived in the summer to join Emmanuel Fernandez, leaving Souttar squeezed out of McInnes’ plans and effectively surplus to requirements.

He had been linked with other moves earlier in the window, but stayed put when the main market shut. Now, with a couple of overseas avenues still open, his situation has flared back into life.

Clinton Nsiala is another defender on the books, though a potential switch to Cyprus has stalled for now.

For Souttar, the next 72 hours could decide whether he fights for a way back into the Rangers side or starts again abroad.