Harry Souttar on Fleetwood’s aims – and his dream international bow
THERE aren’t many players with a haul of four goals from their opening two international games. And there aren’t many players who could one day line up AGAINST their brother in international football. It highlights that Harry Souttar – who is a defender – isn’t having your regular football career.
After making his senior breakthrough at Dundee United, he only made three appearances for the Tannadice outfit before being snapped up by Stoke just over three years ago.
Clearly bought with one eye on the future, the towering Souttar, who stands 6ft 6ins tall, has been limited to cup appearances for the Potters.
However, the 21-year-old has gained valuable experience on loan at Ross County and Fleetwood Town, where he has returned this season after a successful stint last term.
Solid
His solid displays in the heart of the Cod Army defence didn’t go unnoticed – and Australia moved in sharply to prise him away from Scotland, who he had represented at U19 level.
There followed two goals on his international debut in a 5-0 win against Nepal in a World Cup qualifier last month and another double in a 7-1 romp against Chinese Taipei soon after. Talk about taking to the international stage with aplomb.
So while brother John, of Hearts, turns out for Scotland, where dad Jack – who played for Brechin City – comes from, Harry has thrown his lot in with the Socceroos. Mum Heather hails from Port Hedland, Western Australia.
He said: “When Australia came calling, I hadn’t been playing for Scotland.
“Australia is close to my heart. My mum’s Australian and other family members are from there. It’s a decision that’s paid off so far.
“I’ve felt so welcomed by the players, staff and management. I’m going to try to do my best for them for the rest of my career.” Four goals in two games wasn’t a bad introduction. “It was some feeling,” he admitted. “When you’re playing with players in the Premier League and Championship, you want to get their respect.
“They’re only going to respect you if you’re a decent footballer. To get those goals helped my cause.
“I didn’t celebrate my first goal too much – I was more in shock. The manager joked afterwards that I need to celebrate more.
“It was a really good feeling to score those goals – it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
With Australia becoming World Cup regulars in recent times – and topping their current group – Souttar has the chance to achieve something special if he can cement his place in the squad.
“It’s a real incentive to get to the World Cup,” he said. “That’s the pinnacle of everyone’s career. There’s a big chance to do that, but we have to take it game by game and stage by stage in qualifying. The positive thing is that we have a really good team and tremendous support.”
Something else that could be a bit special would be lining up for Australia against Scotland and older brother John, 23, who has three caps.
“That would be brilliant,” he said. “The first time I got called up by Australia, we had a little joke about that.
“I’ve played against him before – he was playing for Hearts and I was on loan at Ross County. My parents said it was tough day for them, but if we get the chance to do it an international level, that would be ten-fold for them.
“Saying that, it would be really nice for the whole family. That might be one for the future.”
Future
Although only 21, Aberdeen-born Souttar is wise enough to know that he needs to keep performing well at club level to mix it with the likes of Brighton duo Mathew Ryan and Aaron Mooy, and Hull midfielder Jackson Irvine on international duty.
Getting more game time under his belt at Fleetwood this season will only help in that regard.
“In the summer when I got told I would be allowed out on loan, there was only one place I wanted to come,” he said.
“I was in contact with the gaffer (Joey Barton) and people at Fleetwood Town over the summer and when the opportunity came about, I wasn’t going to turn it down. I felt at home for the first time since I had been in England when I came here last season and I really enjoyed my football. I’m really happy I’m back here and can help the team progress.”
The Cod Army flirted with a League One play-off challenge last season before eventually finishing 11th. Heading into the weekend, they were eighth, just one point off the play-offs and with games in hand.
It backs up Souttar’s feeling that the Highbury outfit can be genuine promotion contenders this term.
“In the summer when I was back at Stoke, I was seeing the signings the club had made and I was thinking in my head, that’s a really good squad,” he told The FLP. “It’s a stronger squad this season.
“Everyone knows League One is going to be so tight this year – no team is going to run away with it. There are eight or nine teams that could get automatic promotion or into the playoffs. The games over the winter months are so, so tight – there are a lot of 1-0s.
“It’s up to us to be in and around it – and I think we will be. We have the talent in the squad to do that and everyone believes.
“Last season we didn’t quite believe. This season we certainly do – everyone knows what we’re aiming for.
Experience
“Personally, the experience has been really good. With every loan move, you try to improve your game and I have tried to step up again and be a key part of the side. Hopefully I can do that until the end of the season.”
Fleetwood manager Joey Barton is now in his second season in charge and getting a better idea of what’s needed to succeed in the third tier.
“He says he’s learning as a manager and he’s really good to work under,” explained Souttar.
“The ideas he’s got are good for the club and everyone is pulling in the same direction.
“Everyone respects him – he’s played at the highest level and knows what he’s talking about. We have players who can fit his ideas – a high press, which we work on most days.”
While Souttar seeks promotion to the Championship in his loan spell, his parent club Stoke are trying to avoid dropping out of it by the trapdoor.
A horror start to the campaign left them in the relegation zone, though the arrival of new manager Michael O’Neill has lifted spirits.
“With the new manager, I’m hoping they can pick up results, get out of the bottom three and survive this season,” he added. “They have the calibre of players and squad to do that.
“Right now, I’m just concentrating on Fleetwood. There’s a real possibility we might be in the promotion race at the end of the season.
“I just want to play, it’s why I came out on loan again. I feel at home at Fleetwood and I’m enjoying my football. In the summer we can address the future.”