With the first silverware of the season on the line, and Old Firm rivals Celtic standing in their way, Rangers really could have done without an injury scare to John Souttar.
Arguably no one has played better, or more consistently, than the Scotland international centre-half this season.
John Souttar simply ‘oozes class’, to quote Rangers legend Kris Boyd, when free from the sort of injuries which had impeded his Ibrox career until this season. Philippe Clement even labelled Souttar Rangers’ ‘best defender’.
So the sight of him limping off with what looked like a groin injury during Rangers’ Europa League draw on Thursday night – just three days before that League Cup final – was just about the last one the home support wanted burned into the corneas.
The good news however is that, even if Souttar doesn’t make it back in time for Celtic, Rangers do have two other central defenders in pretty impressive form. Leon Balogun replaced Souttar against Spurs and continues to prove, at 36, that age really is just a number.
And while Robin Propper has endured a pretty difficult start to life in Scotland, the way the £1.5 million Dutchman pocketed Tottenham’s frontline in midweek should do his seemingly brittle confidence the world of good.
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Philippe Clement hails Robin Propper, Leon Balogun and Rangers’ squad
Clement was asked about the progress Propper is making, and Balogun’s evergreen excellence, during his press conference before Sunday’s trip to Hampden Park.
The Rangers boss admits he is happy to see the defensive duo perform at their best, while also highlighting the overall strength of a squad which, on the evidence of the last few weeks, may be a lot deeper than initially thought.
“Everybody came in, they did a good job and last couple of weeks also,” Clement tells reporters. “So yes, in that way, the squad is growing and getting better. And getting more automatism together [in each] situation and every time understanding what to do.
“So that’s growing, that’s getting better. It’s not perfect yet but it’s getting better and better. And they’ve shown in the last couple of weeks a really good level in that way.”
Clement hoping John Souttar will be available vs Celtic
In addition to Propper and Balogun, Ianis Hagi, Danilo, Hamza Igamane and Ridvan Yilmaz have all stepped in and made their mark.
Derek Ferguson thinks Hagi and Danilo must start against Celtic, given how impressive they have been domestically, while Yilmaz may also fancy his chances of being included in Clement’s XI after thriving as a left-winger against Tottenham.
When quizzed on Souttar’s progress, meanwhile, Clement insists that – as of Friday afternoon – his availability remains shrouded in mystery.
“I first need to get the assessment of the doctor, and that’s not yet clear so I can’t say anything,” adds the former Club Brugge boss, who defeated Aberdeen 12 months ago to lift the League Cup at Hamdepn.
“But I know that John will do everything to play that game. He’s very motivated always for that and for the club and about winning trophies. So I know he will give his best but it needs to be something that is possible.”
