When Rangers last clinched the league title, the player of the year could have easily come from any member of the regular starting XI. It wasn’t just a select few players who made a difference; even players like Ianis Hagi, often underrated, contributed significantly with 20 goal contributions. The defense, which set a record, also went largely unnoticed, with Allan McGregor being the only player to receive accolades at the end of the season. Despite this, Connor Goldson and his defensive partners played an equally crucial role in the team’s success.
Fast forward to the present Rangers squad, and the situation is starkly different. The player of the year award was almost predetermined, with Nicolas Raskin standing out as the only player deserving of recognition for his consistent performances. Hamza Igamane’s win as young player of the year also shows potential, suggesting he could be the key figure for the team in the next season.
However, one of the more controversial winners at the Rangers awards was John Souttar, who received the John Greig achievement award. Unfortunately, his recent form has been disappointing, and his performance has drawn heavy criticism, particularly from Craig Moore. Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Moore did not hold back: “I thought he was really poor,” he said, referring to Souttar’s lackluster performance against St Mirren. Moore emphasized that even in games where there doesn’t seem to be much at stake, playing for Rangers always means something. He made it clear that Souttar’s performance was far from good enough, describing it as a major issue for the squad. Moore’s frustration also extends to the lack of standout players this season, noting that aside from Raskin, no one has consistently been good enough to challenge for player of the year awards.
Looking at Souttar’s future, Moore’s criticism seems warranted. Outside of Raskin, there has been a lack of consistent performers within the squad, leaving question marks over the club’s future prospects. Rangers’ success in the 2020/21 season relied on contributions from multiple players, and the current squad seems to be missing that same level of depth. Despite being one of the league’s top center-backs, Souttar has continued to make basic errors and lapses in concentration, issues that are exacerbated by frequent changes in his defensive partners and formations. As a potential club captain, he should be leading by example, but he has yet to solidify his place in the team.
The situation with Souttar and the overall inconsistency of the squad suggests that Rangers have a long way to go before achieving the stability they had under Steven Gerrard in 2018. While goals are crucial in winning games, it is a solid defense that ultimately wins league titles, and that remains a significant area of concern for the team.
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