HANDLE WITH CARE
DENS PARK, TODAY, 3PM Souttar hopes new batch of talented stoppers aren’t put on Scots pedestal
JOHN SOUTTAR knows the dangers of putting young players on a pedestal after being hailed as the next big thing in his days at Dundee United.
So the Hearts stopper insists Scottish fans shouldn’t get too carried away with the next batch of stoppers being tipped for international greatness.
The Tartan Army are crying out for quality defenders to emerge as Gordon Strachan is forced to rely on the old guard.
Souttar, who made his debut for United at just 16, was one of the youngsters expected to push on to the senior Scotland squad.
But despite making over 100 appearances in the top flight the 20-year-old is still waiting on his first call-up. Now Celtic’s Anthony Ralston, Scott McKenna of Aberdeen and Rangers kid Ross McCrorie are all being talked up for future success.
Ibrox boss Pedro Caixinha even claimed McCrorie would become one of the best centrebacks in Scottish history in the wake of his first-team debut.
But Souttar knows better than most such praise can be a hindrance for a youngster.
The Hearts star, who plays with all three in the Scotland Under-21 squad, said: “I knew they were good. It’s still early days and we’re all very young.
“I know how hard it can be when you get brought up and you get put on a pedestal then labelled the next big thing.
“I know how the three boys who are being talked up will be feeling right now and it can be tough sometimes.
“They have come in and done well and I think everyone has to be happy about that and really get behind them.
“They will make mistakes but it is important we stay steady.
“We still have a lot of progressing and developing to do. I was about 16 when I made the breakthrough at United.
“I was lucky to have a manager (Jackie McNamara) who played me every week but I learned a lot during that
I know how the three boys who are being talked up will be feeling now JOHN SOUTTAR
period. I was told the other day that I have played over 100 Premiership games.
“It doesn’t feel like that but I’ve had managers who have believed in me and trusted me.
“Hopefully that will continue and I can keep my own development going.
“Although I think it is only my mum who has said I was the future of the Scotland international defence!”
The Under-21s made a flying start to their Euro 2019 bid when they beat the Dutch 2-0.
And Souttar reckons a big factor in that success was club managers giving young Scottish talent a chance to impress.
The stopper, who will play for the Jambos at Dundee today, said: “There seems to be a few boys coming through now. “Anthony has done very well for Celtic.
“I watched Scott McKenna playing for Aberdeen last week.
“He was really good although I’ve played with him for years for the ages groups and he has always been a top player.
“I knew he would come in and do well so I’m delighted for him. I got in touch with Scott to say congratulations. I hope he can kick on now.
“I only trained with Ross McCrorie for a week in the last Under-21s squad. He came on in centre midfield but you could see his qualities in training. I didn’t catch the Old Firm game but heard he played very well.
“You saw the result against Holland. We won because the boys are now starting to play for their first teams every week.”