GRIND HOG DAY

Souttar reflects on ‘toughest chapter’ and says Gers MUST get back to winning ways ASAP

- BY SCOTT McDERMOTT

IT'S safe to say this isn’t what John Souttar signed up for at Rangers.

A solitary League Cup triumph in four years. Four different full-time gaffers in that time. And sustained periods of turbulence and turmoil at Ibrox.

But the Scotland defender admits the clubs recent crisis has been the toughest period he has endured at Rangers.

Souttar only has eight months of his contract left but for the club’s owners and football department, talk of a potential new deal will have been put on hold until they get a new boss.

If, as expected, Kevin Muscat is appointed to replace Russell Martin, Souttar will be on to manager No.5. As a player, he accepts performances and results have been nowhere near good enough this term.

‘And the 29-year-old confessed the shortlived Martin era has been the most difficult yet in his time at the club.

As he prepared for the clash with Dundee United, where Stevie Smith will take interim charge, Souttar said: “It's obviously a bit strange coming back from international duty to no manager.