Souttar urges fans to judge Rangers at season end after Celtic draw
John Souttar believes Rangers supporters are entitled to question the team’s mentality after surrendering a two-goal lead against Celtic but has urged them to reserve judgment until the end of the campaign.
Two goals from Youssef Chermiti had given the hosts a commanding advantage during a dominant first-half display in the Old Firm derby.
However, the visitors rallied after the break with strikes from Kieran Tierney and Reo Hatate securing a share of the spoils at Ibrox.
The result leaves Danny Rohl’s side six points adrift of league leaders Heart of Midlothian at a pivotal stage of the title race.
Souttar accepts criticism following stalemate
Rangers have now drawn four of their previous six fixtures and could slip to third place depending on midweek results involving Celtic and Aberdeen.
“Of course that’s going to be the question,” Souttar admitted when asked about the squad’s psychological resilience to get over the line.
“What I can say is that we need to be judged at the end of the season because there are nine games left.”
The 29-year-old Scotland international acknowledged that fan frustration is a natural response to the current run of form.
“If I was a fan looking just now, I’d be asking the same questions,” he added.
‘We cannot afford slip-ups’
Consistency has plagued the Light Blues recently, having been accused of switching off during a draw with ten-man Motherwell at Fir Park.
Momentum was further stalled by dropping points away to bottom side Livingston, who have managed just one victory all season.
“We’ve got to be really clean in the next nine games,” the centre-back insisted.
“We’ve got to stand up and we’ve got to win and we can’t afford slip-ups.”
With the gap to the summit sitting at six points, the former Hearts defender knows their destiny is partially out of their hands.
“Obviously Hearts are six points ahead, so it’s up to them and we’ve got to hope they drop points and we’ve got to win every game.”
Replicating the first-half display
Souttar has called on his teammates to replicate the aggressive, high-tempo football shown in the opening 45 minutes against their city rivals for the remainder of the league campaign.
“There’s no point doing it for 45 to 50 minutes,” he explained regarding the team’s intensity.
“We’ve got to keep that going for the full game and, yes, there’ll be periods where we can’t do that the full game.”
Danny Rohl’s men face Celtic again this Sunday in the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
“Celtic are a good side, there’ll be moments when they have possession and it’s important then that we’re a bit more experienced,” Souttar concluded.
