John Souttar's Rangers Future Could Change Quickly

Derek McInnes says John Souttar’s Rangers future could move quickly in the coming days, with interest from two clubs gathering serious momentum.

The Scotland defender is still training at Ibrox despite the Scottish window closing, but the door remains open for him to leave if the right offer lands on the table.

Two clubs circling – and one is ahead

Speaking on Thursday, McInnes confirmed that Souttar had trained that morning before the manager held fresh talks with him ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm clash with Celtic.

“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 but 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,” he said.

Reports in Greece have repeatedly linked Souttar with Aris Thessaloniki, with suggestions a €1.2 million bid had been accepted and claims a medical was pencilled in for Sunday. The Greek window runs until September 15, giving clubs there extra time to move while Scottish sides are locked in.

McInnes, though, made it clear the situation is not yet at the finish line. Talks are live, but not done.

Told to look elsewhere – but still a Ranger

The Rangers boss has already been blunt with Souttar about where he stands in the longer term.

"John has been told his long-term future would be best served elsewhere,” McInnes said earlier in the week before the match against St Mirren.

"But if nothing materialises, then of course we'll honour his contract, and he'll come back into things."

That stance underlines the reality of the defender’s position. He is not in McInnes’ plans, but he is not being forced out the door at any cost either.

Defensive reshuffle leaves Souttar on the fringes

Souttar has slipped down the pecking order after Rangers rebuilt their central defensive options over the summer. Ben Godfrey and Olwethu Makhanya arrived to join Emmanuel Fernandez, tightening competition in the heart of the back line and leaving the Scotland international surplus to requirements.

He had been linked with other moves earlier in the window but stayed put when the main market shut. Now, with only a handful of leagues still open for business, the next 48 to 72 hours could define his season.

McInnes again underlined that two clubs are in the frame, with one pushing harder than the other.

"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,” he reiterated.

Clinton Nsiala is also available for transfer, though a proposed move to Cyprus has fallen away for now, adding another layer to Rangers’ defensive jigsaw.

For Souttar, the picture is simpler: stay and fight for a role he’s been told is fading, or jump now while the last transfer doors of this window are still open.