Rangers' Souttar set for switch to Greece

Rangers central defender John Souttar is closing in on a permanent transfer away from Ibrox as the Scotland international looks to secure regular first-team football abroad in the Greek Super League. The former Hearts and Dundee United stopper has found himself increasingly frozen out under manager Philippe Clement this season, making only a handful of sporadic appearances amid intense competition from Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun. Souttar initially arrived in Glasgow during the summer of 2022 on a pre-contract agreement, but persistent injury setbacks and managerial changes severely hampered his ability to establish a consistent run in the starting lineup for the Scottish Premiership giants.

The impending departure of the 27-year-old defender comes as the Glasgow club actively reshapes its squad during the ongoing transfer window to mount a serious challenge against reigning champions Celtic in the domestic title race. Souttar previously earned plaudits for his resilient performances on the international stage with the Scotland national team under Steve Clarke, most notably scoring a crucial header against Denmark during the 2022 World Cup qualification campaign. Despite his undeniable technical abilities and aerial prowess, the center-back struggled to convince the coaching staff of his long-term suitability for the high-intensity defensive demands required at Ibrox across domestic and European fixtures.

As Souttar finalizes the logistics of his lucrative switch to Greek football, Hibernian are simultaneously preparing to send two promising young academy prospects out on short-term loan deals to English Championship clubs to accelerate their development. Hibs manager Nick Montgomery views the temporary departures as a vital stepping stone for the teenagers, who will gain invaluable physical and tactical experience in one of Europe's most fiercely competitive second-tier divisions. Souttar will aim to immediately integrate into his new squad ahead of crucial domestic fixtures, hoping to rejuvenate his stalling career and potentially force his way back into Steve Clarke's plans for upcoming international fixtures.