Jackie can see fit-again Souttar starring in dark blue for many years to come
Jackie Mcnamara reckons Scotland fans can put the kettle on for John Souttar’s return in a dark-blue jersey.
Some eyebrows were raised when the Hearts defender was not listed in Steve Clarke’s squad for the triple header of World Cup qualifiers, that will be completed in Austria on Tuesday night.
The fact his omission could be seen as a surprise at all spoke volumes about the success with which he has stepped back into the game after 14 months out after snapping his Achilles tendon.
“John will be back soon for Scotland, I have no doubts about that,” said Mcnamara, who was Souttar’s first manager and now represents the player as an agent.
“He is a fantastic footballer, someone who possesses all the attributes you would want in a defender playing in the international game – strength, athleticism, composure and, especially, how good he is on the ball.
“He can not only see passes, but also play them, too. He is really comfortable carrying the ball out from the back.
“With Billy Gilmour playing in front of the defence, that gives you a clear route to get us up the park safely.
“People forget John is still only 24 years old because he has been around so long.
“With his injuries, he has been unlucky not to really have the opportunity to make an impact with Scotland – but it is coming.
“I am sure he could slot straight in the team and, once he makes it, you could see him staying there for years to come.”
Mcnamara (right), whose autobiography His Name Is Mcnamara is published by Pitch tomorrow, has no difficulty recalling his early impressions of Souttar.
“I wasn’t long in as Dundee United manager long before spotting the potential in John and Ryan Gauld,” he said. “This was early 2013. They were only 16 and 17 years old then, but they had a maturity beyond their years that I really liked.
“We had reached the Scottish
Cup semi-final against Celtic, and I started them both, which was a big call to make. The last thing you want to do is set a young player back.
“I didn’t need to worry, though, because they both rewarded my faith with excellent performances. We took Celtic to extra time, but eventually went down 4-3.
“One of the reasons I wasn’t concerned about John going into that semi-final was the strength of character you can read in him.
“I just knew he would not be going into the match fearful and, eight years on, he is exactly the same way.
“Coming back from a bad injury is not an easy thing for any player to do. You have the obvious worry it will all happen again, and you will be back at square one.
“John handled it all so well, though. You see him turning in dominant displays in a Hearts team who have made a great start to the season, and it is like he has never been away.”
Mcnamara won 33 Scotland caps in his playing days, but is better known for spending a decade with Celtic.
Now 47, and keeping a close eye on all Scottish clubs in his role as an agent, he needs no telling of the Hoops’ poor run in the Old Firm derby.
Last Sunday’s defeat at Ibrox means the Hoops have now gone seven games without a win over their Glasgow rivals.
“I think there are some similarities between what is happening now, and what was it was like when I was playing in the game for Tommy Burns’ team against Walter Smith’s Rangers,” he said.
“We used to play a lot of good football but were often thwarted by Andy Goram, a goalkeeper in just unbelievable form.
“Last season, we saw some real heroics from Allan Mcgregor, who looked unbeatable, too.
“In the game last week, it was Robbie Mccrorie who was excellent.
“At the time, it can feel you are never going to get over the line in
a derby.