Rangers defender John Souttar caught the eye of Pat Nevin as Scotland defeated Greece 1-0 in the Nations League on Thursday night.
Scotland are vying to retain their UEFA Nations League A status, and now hold a one-goal advantage heading into the second leg of their playoff with Greece thanks to Scott McTominay’s first-half penalty.
Steve Clarke’s men largely controlled the first half but found themselves under pressure for much of the second half as both Rangers star Souttar and defensive partner Grant Hanley were called upon to ensure that their side maintained a clean sheet.
Scotland will now remain in Nations League A if they can avoid defeat against Greece at Hampden Park on Sunday.
Nevin wowed by Souttar and Hanley as Scotland defeat Greece
Rangers star Souttar has made just 17 Scottish Premiership appearances for the Bears this season amid injury struggles, but put in a top performance for his national side on Thursday.
Pat Nevin was impressed by the efforts of both Hanley and Souttar, saying neither player lost anything in the air.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live [20 March, 9.41pm]: “Hanley and Souttar tonight, really brilliant.
“They gave nothing away, won just about every single header, and never panicked at all.”
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Scotland may need Rangers star Souttar at his best again on Sunday
managed to get the better of Greece despite having to survive large spells of pressure, particularly after the hosts introduced gifted 17-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas to the action at half-time.
But if the performance of Ivan Jovanovic’s men on Thursday night is anything to go by, Clarke and Co will need Souttar to be at his very best again if they are to maintain another clean sheet on Sunday which would be enough to retain Scotland’s Nations League A status at Hampden Park.
Souttar has frequently been a rock at the back for Rangers since joining from Hearts back in the summer of 2022, but it is now Scotland who will be requiring the 28-year-old to put on one of his best displays come Sunday.
The fact that Souttar put on a top-drawer performance for Clarke’s side on Thursday night will come as no surprise to the Ibrox faithful, who are used to witnessing such successful exploits on a regular basis.
