Rangers defender John Souttar has been one of the Ibrox club’s most important performers this season.
The 28-year-old has not had his injury problems to seek throughout his career but is now enjoying his most consistent period on the pitch.
Emerging as the leading defender in the Rangers set-up, John Souttar has been earmarked as a future captain with plenty of talk about a new contract.
But all that chatter was shelved at full-time come the 3-0 victory over Ross County, with the Scotland star instead keen to talk up the impact of two of the team’s resurgent attacking options.
John Souttar on Hamza Igamane impact
Hamza Igamane is fast emerging as a fans’ favourite at Rangers after bursting onto the scene in recent matches.
The young Moroccan is finally beginning to put together a consistent run of performances following that £1.7m move from FAR Rabat in the summer.
It’s form that has not been lost on John Souttar, who hailed the impact of the 22-year-old Ibrox striker before suggesting there is still plenty more to come.
“(Hamza Igamane) has been really good the last couple of weeks,” Souttar told the press after the win over Ross County.
“He’s still so young. To transition from a different country where he doesn’t speak the language naturally is always a difficult thing.
”It’s important the club give him time and give him time to feel comfortable around the boys and I think you can see that.
”Naturally he’s just growing so it’s important we just keep giving him that platform to do that.”
Rangers defender on Danilo’s injury return
It’s not just Hamza Igamane who has returned to bolster Rangers’ options at the top end of the pitch either.
Brazilian striker Danilo is back in the team and back amongst the goal after a lengthy period of injury setbacks.
With Danilo’s dad clipped enjoying himself in Dingwall, the Brazilian saw his son net a second in two games as he steps up his recovery at Ibrox.
Having come through plenty of injury setbacks himself, John Souttar reckons Danilo is just enjoying being back on the pitch and it shows in his celebrations.
”As I said there’s a lot of strength at the top of the park,” Souttar said when asked about Danilo’s return from injury.
”They look like goal threats, all our strikers do, so it’s important we keep them all fit.”
When asked about potentially giving advice to the Brazilian, Souttar said: ”Not really to be honest, I think that’s more the medical side and stuff like that.
”I think it’s just a challenge for every player that if you’re unlucky enough to have a big injury it’s going to test you mentally and physically.
”Thankfully he’s come through it all so I’m sure it’ll make him a better player in the long run.
”You don’t take anything for granted, you enjoy every moment on the pitch.
“I think you seen that when he scored today and during the week, he is really enjoying his football.
”I think that’s what it does to you when you have time out the game and when you’re back in you enjoy and you appreciate it.”
