John Souttar's Rangers Future: Potential Move Developments Ahead

John Souttar’s Rangers future is set to come to a head within days, with Derek McInnes admitting interest from two clubs is “a bit further down the line” for one of them as speculation over a move intensifies.

The Scotland international is still at Ibrox despite the Scottish transfer window closing, but Rangers are prepared to let him go if the right offer lands. Souttar trained as normal on Thursday morning, yet his situation hangs in the balance with talks gathering pace in the background.

Reports in Greece have repeatedly linked the centre-back with Aris Thessaloniki, with claims earlier today that a €1.2 million bid had been accepted and that the player was heading for a medical. The Greek window remains open until September 15, keeping the door wide open for a late move.

McInnes, though, moved to cool any suggestion that a deal is done.

McInnes: ‘It could develop in the next two or three days’

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm clash with Celtic, the Rangers manager revealed he had held fresh talks with Souttar that morning and confirmed active interest from abroad and elsewhere.

“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,” McInnes said.

Greek reports had even suggested a medical was pencilled in for Sunday, but McInnes’ stance underlines that negotiations have not yet reached the finishing line.

This is not a new conversation between manager and player. McInnes has already been clear with Souttar about where he stands.

“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.”

Surplus to requirements after summer reshuffle

The writing has been on the wall for Souttar since Rangers reshaped their defensive options over the summer. Ben Godfrey and Olwethu Makhanya arrived to join Emmanuel Fernandez in the centre-back pool, pushing the former Hearts defender down the pecking order.

Souttar had been linked with moves earlier in the window but stayed put when the main market shut. Now, with only certain overseas windows still open, his options have narrowed but not disappeared.

Two clubs are currently in the frame, McInnes confirmed, with one of them clearly ahead in talks, even if he refused to name names.

“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.

Clinton Nsiala is another defender available for a move, though a proposed switch to Cyprus has fallen through for now, underlining how fluid this late-window period can be.

For Souttar, the next 72 hours could define the next chapter of his career. Stay and fight for a place in a crowded Rangers backline, or take the chance to reboot elsewhere while the window is still open?