Exclusive:Rangers told transfer issue that must be addressed this summer as star sent backing over Ibrox future
Centre-back John Souttar recently signed a new contract but is no longer a first-choice pick under Danny Rohl at Ibrox
Colin Hendry believes Rangers defender John Souttar will be fighting tooth and nail to reclaim his spot in head coach Danny Rohl’s starting line-up - conceding it’s “difficult to say” who his strongest centre half pairing is.
Described as “one of the central figures” in Rohl’s squad after signing a contract extension to remain at Ibrox until May 2027, with an option for an additional year in February, Scotland international Souttar has since lost his place in the Rangers team due to the good form displayed by Wolves loanee Nasser Djiga and Emmanuel Fernandez of late.
The aforementioned duo have started four of Rangers last five matches across all competitions, with the experienced Souttar having to be content with a place on the bench.
But former Gers and Scotland skipper Hendry reckons he will be doing everything possible to thrust himself back into the reckoning to ensure he won’t head into this summer’s World Cup Finals fearing over his lack of game time.
Asked who he believes is Rangers’ strongest central defensive partnership, Hendry told GlasgowWorld via 10Bet: “It’s difficult to say. We conceded three goals against Falkirk, but with the pressure of someone like John Souttar being there, there is pressure on every position.
“That is exactly what Dick Advocaat had back in ‘98 - two players in every position so that no one could rest on their laurels. They had to be at the peak of their game every single week.
“I’m sure John will be putting pressure on the guys in there at the moment and that is exactly what Danny Röhl will be looking for.”
Rangers face major Andreas Skov Olsen decision
Another major decision facing his old club at the end of the campaign is whether Rangers should exercise their £8m option-to-buy on loan VfL Wolfsburg winger Andreas Skov Olsen.
While the 40-capped Danish international has shown flashes of quality since arriving in January, he has failed to consistently deliver and has failed to match the form of his previous successful stint with Club Brugge in Belgium.
Hendry admitted: “The improvement has to be in the recruitment, and they’ll know from within the club exactly what budget they are working to. Budgets in Scotland are nowhere near those in England; the Scottish Premiership in relation to the Premier League is chalk and cheese. The distance is incredible. That will be up to the budget they decide on, and Danny will be expected to have an active part in that.”
Hendry: Rangers must keep a home core within Rohl’s squad
The English Premier League winner reckons it’s vital that Rangers must retain a Scottish identity within their core when head coach Rohl enters into the next recruitment phase.
With the club’s new American owners putting faith in the former Sheffield Wednesday boss during the previous transfer window and already intimating they are willing to stump up significant funds again this summer, Hendry believes Rohl can excite supporters further, regardless of the title race outcome.
When asked if he would keep on-loan Spurs youngster Mikey Moore at Ibrox if possible, Hendry replied: “Yes, but it goes back to recruitment. You need players who understand what playing for Glasgow Rangers is about. You can sign a player who has done well in another country, but if they don’t understand the club, it's an issue.
“John Souttar brings that Scottish identity; he and his family know what it means to be there. For a lot of foreign players, that isn’t the case. Mikey has done well, but it will depend on if he wants to stay and what happens from a playing perspective.”