Former Hearts star agrees Rangers terms as he makes Tynecastle comparison after Ibrox contract signed
The Rangers player spent several seasons at Hearts before the move to Ibrox.
A former Hearts player has signed a new contract with Rangers amid a Premiership title race with the Jambos.
Danny Rohl’s side defeated the league leaders 4-2 last weekend to go within two points of the Jambos, who face Falkirk this weekend. John Souttar featured against his former side for Rangers, and has now signed a new contract until the summer of 2027 with the Light Blues, having joined them from Tynecastle in 2022. There is also an option for an additional year.
Souttar initially arrived at Hearts from Dundee United in 2016 and made 162 appearances before his exit in 2022, battling injury problems while in maroon. He’s now hoping to play a role in one of the club’s rivals stealing a march on them in the title race, as he compared leadership responsibilities acquired in Gorgie compared to Govan
What Rangers player has signed a new Hearts contract?
He told Rangers TV: “Before I came here, I had that at Hearts a bit, obviously this is a totally different club. James Tavernier is our leader, and Tav is the one when he is on the pitch everyone looks up to, but when he is not there, I have got the armband.
“There are a lot of leaders there, a lot of boys who have played international football and the boys that have got a lot of experience, and it is a good place to be. The more games I have played, the more things I have been involved in, I have just naturally taken on that role.
“I love playing here, so I always made that clear. There are things that can take time, but thankfully in the end it has all been sorted. I was always thinking about the team and the club. There is so much happening here that you don’t really have time to think about yourself.
Why have Rangers handed John Souttar a new contract?
“There have been a lot of ups and downs throughout my time here, a lot of changes, but hopefully now we are in a settled period. With the owners coming in it has given the club a real foundation to kick on and I think it has got to be an exciting time to be a part of this club whether you are a member of staff, a player or a fan.
“I think it is really exciting. It is important we keep delivering on the pitch and if we do that then I think everyone will really reap the benefits.” You are always thinking about the next game and how the team is getting on but personally I am delighted it is done.”
Rohl added: “We are delighted John has agreed this new contract with the club. Keeping our best players and our leaders is very important to having success going forward, while having a Scottish presence in the squad is also going to be key. This is great news for everyone at the club with so much to look forward to between now and the end of the season, and hopefully for John, a World Cup to come at the end of it.”