John Souttar's Rangers Future Uncertain Amid Transfer Interest

John Souttar’s Rangers future is set to come to a head within days, with Derek McInnes admitting the defender’s exit could move quickly as interest from two clubs intensifies.

The Scotland international is still at Ibrox despite the Scottish transfer window shutting, but the door remains open for him to leave, with Rangers prepared to sanction a move if the right offer lands.

Souttar trained on Thursday morning, yet the uncertainty around him hangs over the build-up to Sunday’s Old Firm clash with Celtic. McInnes spoke to the centre-back before that session and then laid out the current state of play.

“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 talk of a medical being lined up for Sunday. The Greek window remains open until September 15, which keeps the move firmly in the realm of possibility, but McInnes was clear: this is not done yet.

The Rangers manager has already been open about the bigger picture. Earlier in the week, before the match with St Mirren, he confirmed that Souttar had been told he should look elsewhere for regular football.

"John has been told his long-term future would be best served elsewhere,” McInnes said then. "But if nothing materialises, then of course we'll honour his contract, and he'll come back into things."

The message has not changed, but the tempo around the situation clearly has. Two clubs are now at the table, one of them more advanced in talks than the other, and McInnes expects clarity soon.

"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.

Souttar has slipped down the pecking order after a summer of defensive recruitment at Ibrox. Ben Godfrey and Olwethu Makhanya arrived to join Emmanuel Fernandez in the centre-back pool, leaving the 27-year-old on the outside looking in.

He had already been linked with moves earlier in the summer but stayed put when the main window closed. Now, with an overseas market still open and his manager openly signalling a willingness to let him go, the next 72 hours could define the next chapter of his career.

Clinton Nsiala also remains an option in defence, although a potential move to Cyprus for him is currently off the table.

For Souttar, the choice is stark: stay and fight for a place in an increasingly crowded Rangers back line, or take the opportunity if one of those two clubs turns interest into a concrete offer before time runs out.