AFTER signing a pre-contract with Rangers in January, John Souttar has given his first interview since joining from Hearts.

Here is what he had to say to Rangers TV.

You’re now officially a Rangers player, what does that mean to you?

It’s been a long time. I obviously signed the pre-contract in January but it’s a brilliant day for me and my family to join Rangers. It nearly happened in January so it was just dealing with that setback of it not happening and focusing on the football. It was difficult at the time but after it was over with, it was over with so I just gave 100% focus on the task in hand at Hearts. Obviously, I had that small injury problem a few months ago but it was always in my head to get back for the Scotland games and get ready for the summer. It was tough at the start but it was sound after that.

What conversations have you had with the manager?

When I signed I met the manager and staff in January. Having been brought up in Scotland I know Rangers and the size of the club. I know what it means to people and when I met the manager it was exciting. He just gave me his thoughts, obviously, he was just in the door as well. He gave me his thoughts on how he wanted to play and stuff like that and it was exciting.

Do you feel you’re joining the club at a good time?

I think the last few months have been unbelievable for everyone at the club. The run in the Europa League was amazing for everyone and I think it’s a very exciting time to join the football club. I think at this stage of my career it’s brilliant to be joining. I feel like I’m ready physically and mentally to join Rangers. I know the expectation and the challenge is there but I’m just really looking forward to it. There’s a lot of momentum around the club and it’s an exciting time to be here.

At 25, do you feel there’s plenty of room for you to improve here?

Absolutely. I think I’ve got a lot of improvement in me. I work hard every day to realise that and I think a lot of boys have come in here and there’s been a vast improvement. When you’re playing with the level of play that’s here you’re only going to get better with the coaching staff and everything involved so, for me, it’s a really exciting time to come in at the stage of my career I’m at.

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I think when you join Rangers you’re expected to win things every season. That’s the bare minimum, you expect to win so, for me, to come in that’s why you join Rangers, to come and win trophies. I can’t wait to come and experience that feeling.

There’s lots of experience in the dressing room, yourself included, is that something you’re looking to add to the younger players in that dressing room?

From the boys I know, there are top boys in this team throughout and I’ve been told the other boys are brilliant guys as well. I’m looking forward to going in and meeting the lads officially when I start and I can’t wait to bring myself and learn from everybody as well.

Was there ever a time when you felt a move like this may have passed you by? What kept you going through the tough moments when you were injured?

I think you’ve got to be mentally strong in football. To come back from setbacks and handle diversity and when you come to Rangers you’ve got to handle that because it isn’t just going to be a smooth ride. You’ve got to be mentally strong and I think having come through my injuries and stuff like that, I think I’ve got that. There maybe was a time when I thought I wouldn’t be here but I’m glad it’s gone the way it has. Having grown up in Scotland, I know the size of the club, I know the expectation and how big they are. Everything that’s gone on in the last wee while has reinforced that.

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You’ve got the Ukraine match and possible Wales match to come for Scotland. What does playing for Scotland mean to you?

Being involved in any capacity with Scotland just now is brilliant. There’s a good atmosphere around the whole camp so to be involved in those games would be brilliant. I want to get to the World Cup, I think everyone in the country does. I know all the boys and I will be doing everything we can to achieve that.

Do you think playing for Rangers can make you a real mainstay in the Scotland squad?

I think that’s what coming to a big club like Rangers does. It gives you that opportunity to play in Europe, an opportunity to play at a high level and hopefully in doing that it makes me a mainstay in the national team.

How is this summer going to work for you? There’s not much time between the last Scotland game and Rangers returning, do you have a plan in place?

There won’t be a lot of time, just two weeks but having been through what I went through two years ago, I just want to play football. I’m excited to get here. I’m sure there’ll be an off-season programme and stuff like that but I’m just looking forward to getting started with this club.