STRONG SOUTT

It's been one kick in the teeth after another for Gers this season but John's return to form is shining light for Phil

- BARRY FERGUSON

LET'S be honest, feel good stories have been thin on the ground lately around Ibrox.

For all sorts of reasons it's been a difficult start to the season on and off the pitch.

But during it all, one man in particular has been a shining light. Big John Souttar has been through the wringer over the years with all sorts of potentially career-threatening injuries.

This is a guy who knows what hard times look like. And, more importantly, he's a reminder hard work and determination can turn things around.

From the day he arrived at Rangers, he's been fighting a constant battle to get himself up to full speed and get some regular games under his belt.

That's why I'm genuinely so pleased for him now that he's finally emerging as the central defender the rest of us always hoped he would become.

Souttar has been a standout for Philippe Clement since the start of the campaign - probably the most consistent performer in the squad. So there was something really satisfying about seeing him reclaim his place in Scotland's defence against Croatia and Portugal and reproduce that same form in a dark blue shirt.

He looked like he was destined to be an international player from his early days breaking through at Dundee United. My only concern at that time was he might be a bit lightweight physically to make the grade as a top-level centre-half.

He got his move to Hearts then came the injuries that didn't just interrupt his progression, they nearly put him out the game altogether.

To suffer one ruptured Achilles is bad enough for any player. But Souttar suffered the same thing three times and kept coming back for more.

That tells you a lot about his mentality and his desire to succeed. And that's been shining through in the last few months as he has emerged as a real key man in this Rangers squad.