Latest on John Souttar injury as Rangers sweat over fitness | OneFootball

It must be said the (almost certain) loss of John Souttar for the big final on Sunday reminds us painfully of what originally began Ibrox Noise as a site all those 13+ years ago.

Steven Naismith had been ruled out long term with an ACLI in 2011 and Ally just couldn’t replace him – results immediately crashed (Rangers were 15 points clear) and Celtic swooped past, and that was well before the horrible admin stuff.

Is Souttar as important now as Naismith was? He’s hit the form of his life, and losing him up against Celtic is a massive deal – Rangers’ defence needs to be a lot tighter than it was against out-of-form injury-ravaged Spurs, because Celtic have no injuries and lots of form.

It is inevitable that it’s going to be Propper and Balogun, if Souttar makes it it’s a miracle – and the loss of the Scotland international is a gigantic blow to Rangers’ current run.

He’s hit a new level of form, a level Ibrox Noise didn’t think he’d get to, and he’s now looking like the kind of defender Walter would have been only too happy to select.

And not having him up against the lethal strikeforce Celtic have is a problem.

Propper is way too soft and too slow, Balogun is too old and will struggle to last the 90 now.

But they may be all we have.

Ally couldn’t replace Naismith all those years ago, and right now we’re not sure Clement can do much better if Souttar is out for a while.

It’s not like we’re in the title hunt this season, but we do have a one-off shot at the cup tomorrow and losing Souttar for it is a colossal blow if that comes to pass.

All those huge blocks and big clearances Souttar makes will be gone, and we’re relying on a soft-centred Dutch defender who doesn’t even fit the team, not to mention Balogun who will have to do most of the work.

It’s a tough one. We really hope against hope that Souttar makes it, otherwise we may struggle hugely to bring the cup home.

It was already hard enough as it was.