Too often we swing from doom to praise in the space of a few weeks. Joshua Barrie and others were vocally critical of Djiga earlier on, and some have clearly softened their stance since. That's human. Fans change their minds when the picture does. But when it comes to Souttar, there are sensible points to be made rather than the ritual stick he gets after most matches.
Hindsight, hot takes and context
To be fair, criticism is part of supporting any big club. We shout, we moan, we want better. The trouble is when criticism becomes reflex. You can see why some posters single out players: every player is a target. Still, it's worth remembering that a single match or a few noisy moments don't define a player’s value.
Someone asked how dodgy he was when Celtic allegedly had only one shot (not on target) across 120 minutes. I missed that game too, but that claim illustrates the point — context matters. Clean sheets, or a lack of chances for the opposition, are as much about team shape and work rate as about any individual defender's highlight reel.
What Souttar actually brings
Look, Souttar is a current international defender. That's not an empty line on a CV. He has attributes that suit particular setups — strong in the air, reads the game in certain phases, and isn’t shy of the physical scrap. Some call that a "siege" defender: he thrives when our team defends deep and repels pressure. That might not always be the most attractive way to play, but it’s effective in the right moments.
Does that mean he’s perfect? No. No one is. He will have times when he looks off the pace or where other defenders offer different strengths. But writing him off entirely misses how he helps the team in certain matches and scenarios.
Where he fits and what we should expect
Until the squad improves in specific areas, Souttar is part of the solution. He’s not the long-term answer to every tactical problem, but he’s useful now. Managers pick what suits the opponent. Sometimes we need players who dampen an opposition’s rhythm. Other times we want ball-playing centre-backs. Be realistic: both types are needed across a season.
So yes, criticise when it's deserved. But don't forget the other side: a player who can steady things and do the ugly work. Fans will debate — and rightly so — but a bit less reflex and a bit more nuance would do us all good.
Related Articles
About Rangers News Views
Rangers News Views offers daily Glasgow Rangers coverage including match reaction, transfer analysis, SPFL context, tactical breakdowns and opinion-led articles written by supporters for supporters.
