'That is a worry' - Injury expert drops Rangers claim after fresh issue for GVB signing emerges

John Souttar’s injury record is a ‘worry’ but Rangers should be encouraged by his improved availability this season. 

That’s according to injury expert Ben Dinnery, who was speaking to Football Insider.

Hearts centre-back Souttar has agreed to join Rangers in the summer when his Tynecastle contract expires.

In the 2018/19 season however, the Scottish centre-back missed 15 games with a hip problem, and in the first half of 19/20, he was absent for a further 15 after undergoing ankle surgery (via Transfermarkt).

Then came an Achilles tendon rupture in the spring of 2020 that ruled him out for more than a year.

Souttar, currently out of action with a fresh ankle problem, has had four separate lay-offs this season but each have been minor, sidelining him for only ten games in total up to this point.

Dinnery is waiting to see whether this season heralds a long-term change of fortunes for Souttar after his previous “massive” injury nightmares.

“If you looked at the last few seasons, his availability rate has been impacted massively,” he said. “He had 11 league starts across 2019-20 and 2020-21.

“That is a worry. However, you look at this season and his availability is very good.

“Potentially, he could end up playing the most Premiership minutes this season than he has done in his recent career.

“I think he’s shown he’s over that significant setback. It’ll need to be discussed but I think this season he has shown he has been able to bounce back.”

It’s vitally important that Souttar is able to stay fit for the most part.

As Chris Jack, journalist for The Herald and The Glasgow Times, points out, he’s shaping up to be a direct replacement for Connor Goldson, also out of contract in the summer.

And Goldson has been virtually