The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Rio tipping Souttar for big-money move
Manchester United and England great Rio Ferdinand has joined the Harry Souttar fan club and tipped the former Dundee United defender for big things after his World Cup heroics.
The 23-year-old Brechin City fan, who emerged through the Tannadice youth academy, enhanced his reputation even further with his fourth highly impressive performance for Australia in Qatar.
Souttar looked the part against one of the tournament favourites, Argentina.
He couldn’t do anything to prevent arguably the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi, from opening the scoring on 35 minutes, mind you. There’s certainly no shame in that.
And thereafter there was only going to be one winner in the last-16 contest.
But Souttar has made a lasting impression in the competition and speculation that Stoke City will sell their star man in January will build on his return to England.
The good news for United is the Tangerines have a 15% sell-on clause if and when he makes his next career move.
And Ferdinand, working for the BBC at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, believes Souttar ticks every box as a centre-back and will use the World Cup as a platform for future success.
“He’s been through a bit of adversity,” he said.
“Twelve months out with an ACL injury. This is only his fifth start in a year.
“He’s looked very, very composed and very, very good. He’s got a huge presence and puts himself in front of things.
“He’s an imposing figure in both boxes. He’s very good with the ball and with his distribution. He defends the space very well. He’s a good communicator, moving people around.
“He had a few (clubs) who were interested in him before the injury. I’m sure after the performances he’s put in here, his stock is rising with every game that goes by.”
Meanwhile, current United defender Aziz Behich made club history by becoming their first player to feature in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
He has also acquitted himself well in Qatar but on this occasion he awoke the great Messi from his slumber.
Just 90 seconds after the pair were involved in a touchline altercation the superstar of world football was stroking a left-foot shot between Souttar’s legs for the opening goal.
And it needed a superb last-ditch tackle from Argentina defender
Lisandro Martinez to deny Behich what would have been a stunning goal in the 80th minute.
Julian Alvarez made it 2-0 early in the second half and Craig Goodwin’s deflected long-range strike proved to be just a consolation for the Socceroos, who exited the tournament with heads very much held high.
Argentina held firm in front of their army of fans, who heavily outnumbered Australia’s supporters and created an electric atmosphere at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
Messi, whose side now face the Netherlands in the last eight on Friday, said: “These are amazing feelings. I’m really happy to share this beautiful moment, these happy moments with them all.
“The effort they are making to be here with us in every single match. I know how much they enjoy it back in Argentina. The whole of Argentina would like to be here, but it’s not possible. I think there’s this bond that we have, this union, which is something beautiful.”
Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold said: “I really hope that Australia is very proud of these players. They did a fantastic job.”
The Netherlands became the first team through to the quarter-finals with an entertaining 3-1 victory over the USA.
Memphis Depay finished off a superb move to open the scoring in the 10th minute and Daley Blind made it two at Khalifa International Stadium just before half-time.
The US threatened a comeback when Haji Wright pulled one back in the 76th minute but Denzel Dumfries ensured it was the Dutch that progressed to the last eight with their third five minutes later.