While you never quite know what you are going to get from Steve Clarke’s Scotland, the man at the heart of his Tartan Army backline – Rangers’ central defensive colossus John Souttar – remains a potent pillar of consistency.
And on nights like this – Scotland dominated for large spells by a Greece side who mustered 24 shots to eight and 58 per cent of the possession – who better to hang your hat upon than the totemic presence of the Aberdeenshire anchor?
In truth, March has been full of fixtures that could conceivably be described as ‘John Souttar specials’.
Over two legs and 210 minutes of Europa League last-16 football – Rangers eventually beat Fenerbahce thanks to Jack Butland’s heroics in a tense penalty shoot-out – Souttar completed 27 clearances alone.
There were another nine as Rangers stunned Celtic on Sunday. Souttar earned Rangers News very own Man of the Match award after a ‘9/10’ performance of pure marble-carved resilience at Parkhead.
And as Greece turned on the pressure following Scott McTominay’s 33nd minute penalty in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League play-off, Souttar did, well, what Souttar does. Better than anyone else in the Scotland squad, for that matter.
Rangers’ John Souttar shines as Scotland deliver Nations League blow to Greece
Rangers’ imperious number five did not put a foot wrong at Athens’ Olympic Stadium.
That Scotland’s 42-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon had only one save to make across the entire evening – despite Greece’s attempts on goal reaching 24 – speaks volumes about the impenetrable force shielding his goal mouth.
A relieved Steve Clarke was keen to single out Grant Hanley and Anthony Ralston for praise. Two who arrived on international duty starved of minutes at club level, and delivered performances of surprising alertness.
There was nothing surprising at all, however, about the way Souttar conducted himself. He’s spent the whole of March marshalling an iron-clad backline, after all.
“We knew we were coming to play a good side, we knew it was going to be a tough game,” Clarke said, McTominay’s spot-kick ensuring Scotland have a one-goal lead to protect at Hampden Park on Sunday.
“We knew Greece would come at us a little bit second half. They did. And after they did, we didn’t quite manage to regain our rhythm. So, we had to show a different side to our game, different side to our character. Brave defending, good defending.
“We were under a lot of pressure second half. A lot of situations, corners, free kicks. We defended them really well. And when you strip back the figures, there’s only one shot on target [for Greece].”
Souttar ‘outstanding’ as he delivers another ‘no-nonsense display’
Souttar completed nine clearances – his bread and butter, really – while blocking two shots. And, on a night where possession was at a premium, Souttar’s 90 per cent pass completion rate ensured that Scotland did occasionally find a way out when required.
He was, to quote BBC Scotland, nothing short of ‘outstanding’.
“Took his solid Rangers form onto the international scene,” Bill Leckie writes in the Scottish Sun, Souttar more than deserving of his 8/10 rating. “Forced to defend his box constantly in the second half but stood tall in a no-nonsense display.”
Representing a club and a country who often descend into the realms of self-imposed silliness, John Souttar’s ‘no-nonsense’ approach really is worth it’s weight in gold.
‘Outstanding’ Rangers ace produces ‘8/10’ masterclass as he inspires big international win
