Ibrox icon Ally McCoist watched John Souttar play his Coronary heart out in opposition to Rangers at Hampden on Saturday.
And he knew there after which the Scotland defender could be a star for Rangers subsequent season. McCoist simply hopes it’s with Connor Goldson fairly than rather than the centre-back whose contract is up and appears set to return to England in the summertime.
The previous Rangers striker and supervisor is an optimist and would love nothing greater than for Goldson to remain. However McCoist has seen sufficient in Souttar to imagine Gio van Bronckhorst is in a win-win state of affairs.
Souttar, who signed a pre-contract at Ibrox in January, was thrust again into Scottish Cup remaining motion after a two-month damage absence and was the Jambos’ finest outfield participant.
McCoist, on punditry responsibility on the match, had nothing however admiration for the way in which the 25-year-old dealt with a doubtlessly awkward
state of affairs by giving the whole lot he needed to win the Cup for the workforce he was leaving in opposition to his new employers.
McCoist mentioned: “It was a tricky gig for him. You’ve acquired to have character whenever you transfer to Rangers and Celtic. It’s the naked minimal required on the Previous Agency.
“He was beneath a variety of scrutiny however I assumed he got here by way of it with flying colors. I’d prefer to have seen him play in opposition to a centre-forward proper sufficient!”
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That was a jocular reference to Rangers being pressured to play Joe Aribo by way of the center within the absence of Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe.
However McCoist was lethal critical in his appraisal of Souttar’s efficiency on the coronary heart of Robbie Neilson’s defence. He added: “I assumed he was immense.
“He handled all of it so effectively and so did huge Craig Halkett, one other boy I do know very well. However Souttar confirmed on Saturday he’s greater than up for the problem. I simply hope he stays match.
“He was terrific at Hampden. There have been a few ahead runs and I assumed he defended beautifully. The ball was like a magnet to his head for a interval.
“I simply want him all one of the best and I hope the lad stays match.”
The ex-Rangers supervisor was delighted that present Ibrox gaffer van Bronckhorst acquired his fingers on silverware on the finish of every week that had seen his facet come so near Europa League glory.
McCoist mentioned: “It’s the very least this workforce deserves for what’s been a incredible season.
“I assumed Celtic deservedly gained the league however you couldn’t argue with these two groups being within the cup remaining as a result of I assumed each Rangers and Hearts had each nice seasons.
“It could have been an actual blow had Rangers got here out of it with nothing to indicate for it by way of success over the season.
“Hearts in ending third have had a terrific season however Rangers totally deserved to win the Last.
“It’s the very least Gio and the boys deserved after the marketing campaign they’ve had.”
Now the Dutchman has work to do in the summertime, with uncertainty over key gamers reminiscent of Goldson, Steven Davis, Leon Balogun and Allan McGregor, all of whom are out of contract.
With Aaron Ramsey and Amad Diallo returning to Juventus and Manchester United after mortgage intervals, there'll
be ins and outs however McCoist wish to see the outdated guard being retained for one more season.
He mentioned: “Connor is the one which’s fascinating. I do know they’ve supplied him one thing and will probably be fascinating to see what occurs. However from Rangers’ standpoint it could be nice if he stayed.
“I do know John Souttar is coming – who, as I say, I assumed was wonderful at Hampden on Saturday, significantly throughout
the 90 minutes – however Goldson is an efficient participant.
“And Steven Davis over these final two video games appears like he’s acquired one other yr in him anyway.
“We get a bit bit caught up in age typically fairly than efficiency. In the event you take age out the equation, then his performances warrant one other yr.
“So will probably be fascinating to see what occurs however Davo definitely appears like he might play on. I’ve acquired to be sincere, I don’t know what's going to occur with Greegs (Allan McGregor). He’ll make his personal thoughts up.
“You recognize what Greegsy is like. He won't fancy it, he could have had sufficient.”
If McGregor’s remaining look was the last-minute cameo at Hampden within the Cup Last, McCoist reckons the keeper can
depart together with his place firmly established within the pantheon of Ibrox greats.
McCoist mentioned: “He’s been phenomenal. Rangers have had some unbelievable goalkeepers prior to now, significantly during the last 30, 40 years.
“You return by way of them and there’s Chris Woods, Andy Goram, Stefan Klos and now McGregor, who's up there with all of them.
“I get requested on a regular basis who’s one of the best – Goram or McGregor?
“However it’s probably the most unfair query of all time.
“I performed with Goram who was incredible however McGregor is out of this world. He actually is.
“He made a few errors earlier within the season when he was up at Ross County and everyone mechanically places it all the way down to age.
“However that’s improper as a result of keepers at 17 make the identical errors that keepers at 37 make. So I don’t suppose it was something to do with age. It was simply a kind of video games he had. His performances and contribution to the membership over these previous few years have been unbelievable.”