There simply couldn’t be a better time to join Rangers and I feel I’m ready to do myself justice says Souttar
THE Rangers fans have been Feeling It for months – now John Souttar can sense it in the air too.
The Sunset Bros hit was taken up by the Light Blues faithful as their unofficial anthem after former boss Steven Gerrard drove into Ibrox for last year’s trophy day party with the rave classic blaring out his car windows.
The Ibrox legions have been cutting shapes ever since as Gio van Bronckhorst’s side tore through a string of top European defences on their way to last month’s sesh in Seville, with the dance tune acting as the soundtrack to their Europa League adventure.
It was also the first LP the Hampden DJ reached for after their Scottish Cup Final triumph over Hearts.
But while the rest of the Jambos line-up were sticking fingers in their ears to block out the sound of the Gers celebrations, Souttar was already humming away as he allowed his mind to wander ahead to next season’s singsongs.
The Scotland defender has now officially joined the Ibrox ranks after penning a pre-contract back in January.
So far, the best he’s managed when it comes to the chase for silverware is four runners-up medals from his time at Tynecastle and Dundee United.
But now an Ibrox recruit, he can feel a change in fortunes coming.
“I think when you join Rangers, it’s expected to win things,” said the 25-year-old, who has penned a deal running to 2026.
“Every season that’s the bare minimum that you expect to win things.
“For me coming in, that’s why you join Rangers. To come and win trophies. I can’t wait to experience those feelings. At the
stage I’m at in my career it’s brilliant to be joining. I feel like I’m ready physically, mentally to be joining Rangers.”
Had things turned out differently, Souttar would already be four months into his Ibrox stint after Gers made an 11th-hour bid to fast-track his move on transfer deadline day.
Hearts, however, refused to be tempted by the £400,000 offer and he was forced to see out the remainder of his Gorgie contract.
It was a blow – but not a big enough one to rock a player who’s been able to shake off the turmoil of three horror Achilles tendon tears by the age of 23.
He said: “You’ve got to be mentally strong in football to come back from setbacks.
“When you come to Rangers you need to be able to handle that because it ain’t going to be a smooth ride, so you have to be mentally strong. Having come through my injuries, I’ve got that.
“I obviously had that wee, small injury problem a few months ago but I always had it in my head to get back for these Scotland games and the summer.
“It was tough at the start but it’s been sound after that.
“I’ve been brought up in Scotland so I know the size of the club and what it means to people.
When I met the manager it was exciting,’ Souttar told RTV.
“Obviously he was just in the door himself but he gave me his thoughts on how he wanted to play and stuff like that.
“It was exciting and I think the last few months has been unbelievable for everybody at the club.
“The run-in the Europa League was amazing for everyone so it’s a very exciting time to be joining this club.”