Rangers star John Souttar played the entire 90 minutes as Scotland suffered an energy-sapping UEFA Nations League hammering against Greece at Hampden.
Souttar has been a standout in Greece as Scotland took a 1-0 lead back to Glasgow, with a place in UEFA Nations League A dependent on seeing the result out on home soil.
But John Souttar was part of a defence which capitulated at Hampden, conceding three goals to lose 3-0 and send Steve Clarke’s side tumbling down to UEFA Nations League B.
After a bright Scotland start to the match, PAOK winger Giannis Konstantelias levelled the tie after finding space in the box to slot home the opening goal on the night.
Teenage Genk wonderkid Konstantinos Karetsas then curled in a stunning left-footed strike a few minutes before half-time to put Greece ahead in the tie.
Scotland manager Clarke would’ve been hoping for a second-half response from his lacklustre side but the team was immediately sucker-punched seconds after halftime.
Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis took advantage after some slack Scotland passing, with Rangers defender John Souttar playing the Greece international onside.
Press react to John Souttar showing v Greece
John Souttar’s defensive partnership with Grant Hanley was praised by Steve Clarke heading into the match with Greece.
But the entire Scotland team failed to cover themselves in glory defensively, with Greece ruthless with their opportunities and incisive in the final third.
Souttar did produce one moment of defensive magic in the match, reacting quickly to clear a goal-bound effort off the line after Hanley had tried to shield the ball out of play.
James McFadden told BBC Sport (live blog 23/02/25: 18:27) that the Ibrox defender had stopped a ‘certain goal’.
The Scotsman rated Souttar 6/10 for his performance at Hampden, branding the centre-back the ‘best of the back four for Scotland’.
Despite criticising the ‘slack’ Scotland defence, the Guardian also reserved praise for Souttar’s ‘goal line’ clearance.
| John Souttar stats v Greece | |
| Minutes | 90’ |
| Tackles (%) | 0/1 (0%) |
| Cleared off line | 1 |
| Blocks | 1 |
| Clearances (headed clearances) | 4 (2) |
| Defensive actions | 6 |
| Recoveries | 2 |
| Duels won (%) | 5/5 (100%) |
| Accurate passes (%) | 71/78 (91%) |
The Herald gave Souttar a 6/10 for his performance in Glasgow, again higher than the rest of a Scotland defence made up of Grant Hanley (5), Andy Robertson (4) and Anthony Ralston (5).
The newspaper claims that whilst Souttar was ‘colossal’ in Greece he was ‘unable to emulate’ the performance at Hampden.
The Edinburgh Evening News acknowledged that Souttar has ‘been superb for his country in recent outings’ but gave the defender a 6/10 for being ‘part of a backline that tamely conceded three goals’.
Billy Dodds claims Scotland game ‘could’ve turned ugly’
Rangers coach Billy Dodds warned that things could get ‘pretty ugly’ for Scotland if they conceded a fourth goal.
Barry Ferguson’s Ibrox assistant was speaking as part of BBC Sportsound’s coverage of the match and claimed that the third goal also ‘floored’ Scotland.
”Greece’s third goal floored us,” said Dodds (BBC Sport live blog 18:47).
”It was so important for us to get back level then they go and get a third.”
Dodds had indirectly praised Souttar by previously saying: “It could turn ugly if Greece get a fourth” (BBC Sport live blog 18:28).
Scotland will face Greece again in October (H) and November (A), the Tartan Army having drawn the nation in World Cup Qualifying.
