John Souttar can handle the Rangers heat as Steven Pressley tips 'hardened' ex Hearts star for Ibrox explosion

Steven Pressley believes John Souttar is primed to perform to his peak at Rangers.

Pressley tried to sign Souttar for Fleetwood when he was a 19-year-old at Dundee. He’s kept a close watch on the defender’s excellent progress since and reckons Souttar is on the cusp of career-high form after leaving Hearts for Ibrox.

Elvis is sure Souttar is physically and mentally ready to withstand the rigours of life at Rangers because he’s handled hype since before making a senior debut at 16. The ex-Rangers, Hearts and Celtic centre-half said: “There were so many judgments made on John at such a young age, a lot of discussion about his performances, positive and negative, when he was a teenager because he was so highly-regarded.

“I think that hardens you up. Eventually you become more resistant to it. The more you experience criticism the more you’re able to feel immune to it. He’s been experiencing that for over nine years now. It’s incredible to think he’s still only 25! So I’m sure the pressures of Rangers, although they are big, he will be able to cope with them.

“I tried to sign him prior to his move to Hearts. I met him and his father but at the time it was beyond our means. I got a good feeling about him then, he’s from a very solid family. He’s been about a long time now and is approaching his top years.

“Centre-backs really don’t hit their peak until maybe the age of 27. They have the period thereafter, or later, when they really understand the game. His best years are on the way. He’s maturing as a man, he’s filling out. All of those things are coming together.”

Souttar returned fit from his third lengthy Achilles lay-off last season a stronger specimen for club and country. Pressley added: “I just hope he can steer