John Souttar: New Rangers signing speaks for first time since Hearts exit as Scotland play-off looms

John Souttar is hoping to play his part in taking Scotland to the World Cup before officially joining up with Rangers in time for pre-season next month.

The defender brought the curtain down on his Hearts career with a stand-out display in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden on Saturday, despite the 2-0 defeat to his soon-to-be employers, in his first start in more than two months due to an ankle injury.

It was a performance that convinced national coach Steve Clarke to include the 25-year-old centre-back in his squad for the forthcoming World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine, with a potential final against Wales to follow, as well as Nations League matches against Armenia and Ireland.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s brilliant to be back in with the boys and I’m looking forward to the games,” Souttar said in an interview with the Scottish FA. “There is quality throughout the squad but there are good people as well.

“People have been here consistently, we’ve named a similar squad and you saw the quality from the last games. We’ve just got to keep it going.”

Injury forced Souttar to miss the last Scotland camp in March where a 1-1 draw with Poland at Hampden and a 2-2 draw with Austria in Vienna extended the national side’s unbeaten run to eight matches.

The friendlies were hastily arranged in place of the postponed Ukraine showdown, which was rescheduled to June 1 following to the Russian invasion, meaning Souttar is now fit and available for selection after completing his recovery.

"I’ve enjoyed my football this year,” he said. “Only really the last month and a half or two months have been difficult, being out injured.

“To get back playing at the weekend, obviously the result was disappointing but for myself it