John Souttar sees Rangers silver lining in Euro 2024 snub as he takes positives from Scotland heartbreak

John Souttar certainly didn’t think so at the time. But six weeks on from having his Euros dream snatched away, the Rangers defender admits sitting out this summer’s Scotland action might just turn out to be a benefit in disguise.

The 27-year-old was left heartbroken after being cut from Steve Clarke’s squad just 24 hours before the national team flew out to Germany. It was the second tournament in a row in which the luckless centre-back was overlooked amid concerns over his fitness. It’s three years since the then-Hearts stopper missed out on Euro 2020 after battling back from a third devastating Achilles rupture of his career.

He joined Gers 12 months after that let down but saw his first season at Ibrox wrecked by another ankle injury. It looked, though, that Souttar was over the worst of his troubles this season as he registered 43 runs outs for club and country. But a knock sustained at Celtic Park just a month before Clarke confirmed his squad was enough to put a doubt in the Hampden boss’ mind, leaving the Light Blues ace as the odd man out as the selection was trimmed to 26 men.

However, having put his feet up while Scotland were making an early exit, a refreshed Souttar is now looking on the bright side. He said: “Obviously it was disappointing not to be involved at the Euros. But then again it was good for my body to get a break.

“I played a lot of football last year and this has been the first time I’ve really had the chance to have that break and let my body recover from last year. So I’m feeling good and looking forward to the start of the season. I wouldn’t call what happened a blessing. But looking back maybe it will be a good thing getting that rest and letting my body recover because I played a lot of