Positives were in very short supply for Rangers when Barry Ferguson fronted up to the media in the aftermath of Saturday’s debilitating home defeat to Motherwell.
On what was supposed to be an afternoon of celebration at Ibrox – Barry Ferguson’s Ibrox homecoming colliding with James Tavernier’s 500th appearance in a Rangers shirt – a dreadful Jack Butland mistake would set Motherwell on their way as Kevin Wimmer became the third visiting manager in succession to triumph in arguably Scotland’s most famous arena.
Yet, Ferguson did have some good news to raise the corners of Rangers’ fans downturned mouths.
Rangers’ interim manager expects John Souttar to make a big ‘difference when the big centre-back is available for selection again. And that could come as early as Thursday in Istanbul.
That visit of Motherwell may have arrived too soon. But, after Ferguson confirmed that Souttar had returned to training on Friday, he should be part of the travelling party at least as Rangers jet out to face Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
- READ MORE: Rangers Europa League Record Since 2017
John Souttar will travel to Fenerbahce in big boost to Rangers’ hopes
According to the Daily Record, Souttar came through another full session on Tuesday morning.
So too did Leon Balogun. The 36-year-old made his return off the bench against Motherwell alongside Dujon Sterling, meaning a defensive injury crisis which has haunted Rangers throughout 2025 is finally relenting.
Right on time, too, with the Europa League representing the club’s last shot at silverware this term.
“We’ve got to work with what’s here [but] physicality is one thing I do like. It’s something we’ve been lacking,” Ferguson said after Motherwell became the third team in a row to go 2-0 up against the Gers.
“Souttar will be available for Thursday. Going forward, you will probably see a difference [with Souttar back in the team]. We need a different type of player at times.”
Philippe Clement described Souttar as Rangers ‘best’ defender before he got the chop. If that is the case, then Balogun is probably not far behind, almost by default.
Robin Propper and Clinton Nsiala were ‘terrible’ against Kilmarnock, to quote Gordon Dalziel. Three days later, when Motherwell came to town, Propper was hauled off after just 45 minutes while Nsiala was left out entirely, Tavernier marking halfway to one thousand Rangers appearances out of position in the centre.
Kris Boyd wants Souttar and Leon Balogun to start in Turkey
With Souttar in the XI, Rangers have conceded only nine goals in 16 Premiership games. Without him, they have let in one per game on average.
Up against two physical Fenerbahce centre-forwards in Edin Dzeko and Youssef En-Nesyri – the latter has his eyes on the Europa League Golden Boot with six goals already – Souttar’s return cannot come soon enough really.
“John Souttar is back. Balogun came on at the weekend. I think that has to be the central pairing [against Fenerbahce],” former Rangers striker Kris Boyd argues.
“Nsiala got the brunt of it last Wednesday night. Robin Propper is miles off it and has been for a period of time. Yes, James Tavernier went into centre-back but I think in the heat of the moment when the game has already started, it’s an easier thing to do is move from that right hand side in there.
“At the weekend it didn’t work. The balance was all wrong for Rangers.”
