John Souttar's Rangers Future Could Change in Days

Derek McInnes expects John Souttar’s Rangers future to move quickly, admitting a transfer could take shape “over the next two or three days” as interest from two clubs gathers serious momentum.

The Scotland international is still training at Ibrox despite the Scottish window closing, but the door remains open for him to leave if the right offer lands. One club, McInnes confirmed, is already ahead of the other in negotiations.

McInnes: ‘It could develop’

Speaking on Thursday after a session at Auchenhowie and before Sunday’s Old Firm showdown with Celtic, McInnes laid out the current state of play.

“I spoke to John this morning, he trained, there's a bit of interest in him from one or two clubs, one club maybe a bit further down the line than the other but I think it's something that could develop but I don't think it's at that stage yet but maybe something will happen over the next two or three days,” he said.

Reports in Greece have repeatedly linked Souttar with Aris Thessaloniki, with suggestions a €1.2 million bid had been accepted and that a medical was pencilled in for Sunday. McInnes, though, was clear: the deal is not in its final stages yet.

The Greek transfer window runs until September 15, giving Rangers and any suitors extra breathing space that clubs in Scotland no longer enjoy.

Long-term call already made

McInnes has already been frank with Souttar about where he stands in the longer term.

“John has been told his long-term future would be best served elsewhere,” he said earlier in the week before the match against St Mirren.

“But if nothing materialises, then of course we'll honour his contract, and he'll come back into things.”

That blunt assessment reflects the reshaping of Rangers’ defensive options over the summer. Souttar has slipped down the pecking order after the arrivals of Ben Godfrey and Olwethu Makhanya, who joined Emmanuel Fernandez in the centre-back pool.

The 27-year-old had been linked with other moves earlier in the window but stayed put when the main market shut. Now, with two clubs circling and one “further down the line”, the situation could accelerate quickly.

McInnes chose not to name either interested side, but his tone suggested clarity is close.

“There's a bit of interest in him from one or two clubs, one club maybe a bit further down the line than the other,” he reiterated.

Defensive reshuffle continues

Souttar is not the only defender whose future has been under discussion. Clinton Nsiala is also available, although a proposed switch to Cyprus is currently off the table.

For now, Souttar trains, waits and weighs up his options. Rangers, stocked with new central defenders and already planning beyond him, appear ready to move on too.

The next 72 hours will tell whether this is the moment the centre-back finally walks away from Ibrox and into the next chapter of his career.