Ibrox move just perfect – Souttar

John Souttar believes he is at the perfect stage in his career to be joining Rangers. The 25-year-old defender agreed a pre-contract with the Ibrox club in January and, after Gers failed in a bid to try to buy him from Hearts there and then, the transfer finally became official yesterday upon the expiry of his Jambos deal.

Former Dundee United player Souttar – who has signed a four-year contract – believes he is well equipped to handle the demands of playing for Rangers after forcing his way into the Scotland set-up during his six and a half years at Tynecastle

“It’s been a long time since I signed the precontract in January, but it’s a brilliant day for me and my family to join Rangers,” Souttar told Rangers TV.

“It nearly happened in January, so it was obviously just dealing with that setback of it not happening and focusing on the football.

“It was difficult at the time but after it was over with, it was over with, so I just gave 100% focus on the task at hand at Hearts.

“I’ve been brought up in Scotland so I know the size of the club, I know what it means to people.

“I think in this stage of my career, it’s brilliant to be joining (Rangers). I feel like I’m ready physically, mentally to join Rangers.

“I know the expectation and the challenges there, but I’m just really looking forward to it.”

Souttar was in the Hearts side that lost to Rangers in last month’s Scottish Cup final, just days after Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team were defeated by Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties in the Europa League final.

The defender believes he is joining a vibrant club.

“When I met the manager, it was exciting,” said the centre-back.

“He gave me his thoughts on how he wanted to play and stuff like that, and it was exciting.

“I think there’s a lot of momentum around the club and it’s an exciting time to be here.

“When you join Rangers, it’s expected to win things every season, that’s the bare minimum, you expect to win things.

“That’s why you join Rangers, to come and win trophies, so I can’t wait to come in and experience that feeling.

“Coming to a big club like Rangers, it gives you that opportunity to play in Europe and to play at a high level and hopefully, by doing that, it will make me a mainstay for the national team.”

Meanwhile defender Connor Goldson has signed a new four-year deal.

The defender had been out of contract this summer but, amid speculation linking him with a move to Premier League-bound Nottingham Forest, has now committed his future to the Ibrox club.

The 29-year-old played more minutes for Rangers this season than any other player and helped them to the Europa League final, where they lost on penalties by Eintracht Frankfurt.

Goldson joined from Brighton in 2018 and has so far made 223 appearances, scoring 20 goals.

Swiss striker Cedric Itten has left the Ibrox club and returned to his homeland to join Young Boys for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old had scored nine goals in 49 appearances since signing in 2020.