SMITH: GERS DAFT IF THEY SELL SOAPY

MICHAEL SMITH insists it was no shock to see John Souttar brush off the agony of his Tynecastle tribulations and become a mainstay at Ibrox and Hampden.

- By Andy Newport

But Souttar’s old Hearts sidekick admits he’d be stunned if Rangers consider cashing in on a defender who he still believes is the most reliable in Russell Martin’s squad.

When it comes to those who know the Gers stopper best, there’s not many who have been closer than the former Gorgie and Northern Ireland right-back.

In fact, only Rangers skipper James Tavernier has played more games alongside Souttar than Smith.

They’d have teamed up even more regularly had it not been for the cruel luck Souttar endured during his six-year stint in the capital, which was interrupted by three agonising Achilles tendon tears.

The 28-year-old has battled back from those devastating setbacks and is now a key man for both Gers and Scotland.

However, his future might end up lying away from Ibrox after it was revealed Trabzonspor are seriously interested in signing him this summer.

It is understood the Turkish outfit are preparing to weigh in with a £850,000 bid and a serious upgrade on his current Gers contract, which expires in 12 months' time.

That could leave Souttar with a serious decision to make — but Smith can’t understand why Rangers would ever entertain it.