Colin Hendry and David Weir are the one two Rangers defenders to have nailed down common Scotland begins within the final 25 years.
Former Scotland captain Hendry firmly believes John Souttar is about to affix them.
Even when the 25-year-old, who will quickly meet his new Ibrox team-mates for pre-season coaching after becoming a member of on a pre-contract from Hearts, doesn’t function towards Armenia, Hendry is satisfied he has all of the attributes to grow to be a primary selection for membership and nation over the following few years.
The previous Jambos centre-back has overcome horrendous damage issues to earn his transfer to Gers and to pressure his means again into Steve Clarke’s plans and Hendry believes the psychological power required to do this, allied to his bodily prowess and talent, could make him the right package deal.
And though he could have been introduced in as a alternative for Connor Goldson, who subsequently determined to remain, Hendry sees no cause why each can’t play collectively and reckons that if boss Gio van Bronckhorst decides to go to a again three that might be even higher for Souttar.
“I like him,” stated the previous Ibrox icon who gained the Treble below Dick Advocaat in 1999. “If something, Souttar jogs my memory a wee little bit of Alan McLaren. Possibly not in model of play, however from the truth that he got here from Hearts as properly and confirmed actual resilience to beat damage issues.
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“John has finished that and deserved actual credit score as a result of he will need to have been in some darkish locations at instances.
“He seems like a participant who can match into the Rangers facet and be a hit.
“I believe it’s clear he signed as a result of the sensation was that Connor Goldson could be leaving and Souttar could be his alternative.
“However now Rangers have gotten each of them as a result of Goldson signed a brand new contract and that’s good information for the membership.
“I’m positive they will play collectively, no downside, and Rangers can have a lot of choices on the again now as a result of Calvin Bassey has come from nowhere to wanting like a prime, prime participant and might play left-back or left centre-back.
“Bassey may properly be offered, in fact, and Rangers would get large cash for him as a result of he's excellent for the English Premier League when it comes to tempo, energy and physicality.
“Additionally, you take a look at his efficiency within the Europa League Remaining and golf equipment know that he’ll have the mentality to deal with large events.
“But when he stays, Gio would have the choice of enjoying Souttar-Goldson and Bassey or Filip Helander as a again three and that, in fact, could be splendid for Souttar as a result of that’s the system Hearts and Scotland have been utilizing.
“But when the supervisor sticks to the again 4, that gained’t be a problem. Good gamers adapt.
“I performed a flat again 4 with Manchester Metropolis, Bolton, Blackburn and Rangers after which switched to a again three with Scotland.
“I didn’t discover that an issue and I’m positive if John has been used to enjoying in a 3 with Hearts and Scotland, he'll adapt to a 4 with Rangers.”
Hendry reckons Souttar’s greatest challenge might be coming to phrases with the dimensions of the membership he's becoming a member of and expectations that accompany that. And he's adamant that although the brand new boy has performed all his life in Scotland, he gained’t realise it till he pulls on the jersey for the primary time.
The 56-year-old added: “Getting Souttar on a pre-contract for no payment was an awesome little bit of enterprise. In my day, centre-backs got here to their peak between about 28-32 however these days it’s taking place after they’re youthful and Rangers might be getting a few of the finest years of his profession.
“On the pitch, the largest distinction he’ll discover is that all of the sudden he's enjoying for a crew that can dominate the ball in 80 per cent of the matches they play, actually domestically, and in that case he gained’t need to be over-exerted on the again.
“However look, he has proven he can play. Good with the ball at his toes, dominant within the air and an awesome presence.
“He’ll be advantageous and being a part of a profitable Rangers crew will improve his Scotland prospects as properly.
“It should take him some time to get used to the dimensions of the membership he has joined, although.
“It truly is a particular membership, as John Souttar is about to search out out.”