At the end of a tense and nervy 1-0 victory over Hibs on Sunday, Philippe Clement indulged in a spot of role play as a means of illustrating the point he was trying to make.
In what became a colourful post-match press conference, the Rangers manager stood up from his chair and physically re-enacted the handball incident which had seen John Souttar concede a penalty.
Clement was adamant that Souttar had been wrongly punished, insisting that the Rangers centre-back ‘can’t make his arms disappear’.
It was entertaining, while also wide of the mark. Despite Clement’s protestations, Souttar’s arm was raised. It was a penalty, plain and simple.
The fact that Jack Butland saved the spot-kick from Mykola Kukharevych got the defender and Rangers out of jail.
To focus on that one incident alone, however, doesn’t really do justice to Souttar.
John Souttar celebrates after scoring his only Scotland goal to date against Denmark in 2021
Hibs were awarded a penalty for a Souttar handball, a decision which riled Philippe Clement
Now free of the injury issues that have often blighted him, Souttar has impressed this term
Truth be told, it was the one and only blot on his copybook over these past few weeks. Since the defeat at Celtic Park a month ago, he has been excellent for Rangers.
Clement’s side have now kept four clean sheets on the bounce in all competitions, with Souttar’s form proving pivotal to that mini-resurgence.
In the Europa League victory in Malmo last week, he was the best player on the pitch, heading everything that came his way, as well as making some vital blocks and tackles.
It raises one obvious question. If Souttar continues in this vein, when will he finally be given a run of games in a Scotland jersey?
Steve Clarke will name his Scotland squad this afternoon for the upcoming Nations League double header with Croatia and Portugal.
Clarke certainly doesn’t have his problems to seek at centre-back. As revealed by Mail Sport yesterday, the Scotland boss is considering a call-up for Preston defender Liam Lindsay.
Clarke has selected Souttar to start in only two games across his five years in charge
Scott McKenna is currently injured, as is Kieran Tierney, while Liam Cooper isn’t fully match sharp yet following a recent move to CSKA Sofia.
Grant Hanley, meanwhile, has started only one league match so far this season for a Norwich City side who sit mid-table in the English Championship.
There’s a very plausible argument that – based on current form and availability – Souttar could well be Scotland’s best option at centre-back heading into these two games.
He was cut from the final squad prior to Euro 2024 in the summer, and was then an unused substitute in the recent games against Poland and Portugal.
Given his form at club level, and the lack of options available to Clarke, it’s surely now the right time for him to be given a proper opportunity with the national team.
Since Clarke took charge just over five years ago, Souttar has only started two matches for Scotland, the last of which was a 2-0 home win over Armenia in June 2022.
Preston defender Liam Lindsay could be handed his first Scotland call-up at the age of 28
Injuries have undoubtedly been a major factor throughout his career and would go a long way to explaining why he has only won eight caps at the age of 28.
However, Souttar spoke at the start of the season about how missing the Euros may actually have been a blessing in disguise from a personal point of view.
He had a full summer to allow his body to rest and recover, before then throwing himself into a full pre-season with Rangers.
As regular observers of the Ibrox club would testify, his form over these past few weeks is now starting to show the benefit.
Speaking after the victory over Hibs on Sunday, Rangers midfielder Kieran Dowell was asked about Souttar’s form and his importance to the team alongside Robin Propper in central defence.
‘Yeah, John’s been brilliant all season, and last season as well,’ said Dowell. ‘He’s been a rock at the back for us.
Scott McKenna, now playing in Spain with Las Palmas, is nursing an injury and will miss out
‘I thought in midweek [against Malmo] he was outstanding as well, heading everything. You saw the same again on Sunday against Hibs.
‘He comes in and deals with it, all the long throws Hibs had. Both him and Robin got their heads on them all. The whole back four, with Jack saving the penalty, they were solid.’
When he names his squad this afternoon, Clarke will no doubt be asked about what he can do to arrest the current run of results.
Scotland are now on a run of one win in their last 14 games, which came in a pre-Euros friendly against minnows Gibraltar.
They haven’t won a competitive fixture in over a year. With a trip to Zagreb to face Luke Modric and Co, few would expect that run to change in a couple of weeks.
Likewise when Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal visit Hampden a few days later in what is certain to be another tough examination.
The key to turning things around will surely be demonstrating an ability to tighten things up at the back.
Souttar was a standout for Rangers as the Ibrox men kept a clean sheet on their trip to Malmo
Scotland have been shipping goals at an alarming rate over the past year. The numbers are eye-watering. They have lost 33 goals in their last 14 matches.
They haven’t kept a clean sheet in a competitive fixture since a 3-0 win away in Cyprus over a year ago. And therein lies the problem.
Scotland are a team who have forgotten how to defend. That’s the biggest dilemma of all facing Clarke at the moment.
Clarke got the job on the basis that he was a manager who prioritised defensive solidity and organisation, but that’s gone. The team have been conceding goals left, right and centre.
Souttar’s form can’t be ignored. He has earned the chance and, fitness permitting, deserves to start in the double header.
If he continues to be overlooked, while the likes of Hanley feature despite a lack of match sharpness, then it would only further demonstrate how Clarke’s loyalty to certain players can sometimes extend too far.
