Why new Rangers arrival John Souttar's Scotland's outing demonstrated perfect fit

Steve Clarke’s side ended the game having attempted 25 shots and created 3.23xG, but the game was all but over as soon as Scott McKenna added the game’s second and final goal just after the break.

For those of a Rangers and Scotland persuasion, particular focus was given to the performance of John Souttar, playing on the right of a back three. The 25-year-old was officially unveiled by the club earlier this month, having signed a pre-contract in the January transfer window.

While his performance wasn’t groundbreaking, nor did it tell us much about the former Hearts man we didn’t already know, it was a reminder of the strengths he will bring to a team that dominates possession. 

Clarke’s football is accused of lacking attacking flair at times and Souttar wasn’t granted the positional freedom to step into midfield or overlap in the final third that was demonstrated playing under Robbie Nielson last season. Still, there was plenty of reason for optimism.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst wants his centre-backs to be aggressive in possession and take responsibility for progressing the ball into the final third. As a result, there is a requirement for defenders who are able to take on such demands.

Goldson is an excellent passer of the ball and while Soutter also excels playing long diagonals, his propensity to step into midfield with the ball offers another viable means of getting the ball forward into midfield.

This was clear right from the off against Armenia. Most defenders would choose to go backwards and simply reset possession after receiving a pass in this area.

Instead, Souttar marauds forward and attempts a ball into the forward line.

By taking advantage of the space, aggressive centre-backs require opposition pressure, thus opening passing options against a team conditioned to defend.

READ MORE: John Souttar scouted: Why Rangers-linked 'overlapping centre-back' is perfect fit

Here’s an example of Souttar attacking space closer to goal. Picking the ball up, he could attempt one of many safe passes and circulate possession.

Instead, as the opponent blocks a passing lane into Ryan Christie, Souttar dribbles in between the lines, committing three players before finding Christie in a better position, who returns the ball to John McGinn.

Although the chance amounts to nothing, look at the position of the opposition when McGinn has the ball 30-yards from goal compared to Souttar just seconds earlier. The first frame has a left wing-back out of shot.

By committing three players and taking responsibility, Souttar has unsettled the defensive block, forced Armenia into a narrow shape and created passing options for his teammates.

Another distinguishable difference between Gerrard and van Bronckhorst’s football can be found in the latter’s favoured man-for-man defending. Best demonstrated by Calvin Bassey, the Dutchman wants his side to isolate his opponents individually, rather than remain compact as a unit and defend space collectively.

On a few occasions against Armenia, Souttar showed his comfort in not only stepping out of the defence to create, but also prevent.

Here, with a huge distance between defence and midfield, the defender is required to leave his spot in the backline and aggressively close down his man.

He makes the same action slightly higher up the pitch just moments after.

Often, Souttar found Ralston at right wing-back with Armenia happy to show possession wide. On occasion, he disguised passes infield well by opening his body before reversing inside the pitch.

Of course, every good defender must defend and particularly when playing against a side that counterattacks, boast strong one-v-one ability, something Souttar demonstrated at Hampden on Wednesday.

READ MORE: Rangers' style evolution: From sightings of structure to comfortable chaos

Here, he uses his opponent’s preference to move the ball onto his left foot to guide him into a duel. Notice his body position leaves plenty of room that could allow the opponent to get a shot off on his right, but Souttar knows what he is doing.

Later, when turned with his back to goal, Souttar is able to bide his time and wait prior to regaining possession. 

Overall, the game left little to write home about. For the watching Rangers support, however, it was a reminder that with Goldson staying and Souttar joining, van Bronkhorst has a strong template to utilise aggressive centre-backs in the Scottish Premiership.