John Souttar Undergoes Planned Hernia Surgery, Set to Return for Panathinaikos Tie
Rangers centre-back John Souttar has successfully undergone a pre-scheduled hernia operation in London, and the early prognosis suggests he’ll be back in time for the pivotal Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos later this summer .
Despite concerns swirling around the defender’s recovery timeline, the club insists the plan was always to address the issue following Scotland’s recent fixtures against Iceland and Liechtenstein. In fact, Souttar featured heavily during the Iceland game and was named as a substitute in the Liechtenstein match, before heading off for the procedure .
Reported Timeline is Encouraging
Surgery took place last week in London. While Souttar will initially miss the first stretch of preseason training, the club remains confident he’ll rejoin Russell Martin’s camp before the first leg on either 22 or 23 July at Ibrox. The recovery window is estimated at around four to six weeks, but medical staff believe he’ll be well-positioned to feature in both legs of the tie .
Preseason Plans and Squad Building
Rangers are set to return to Auchenhowie next Monday to kick off preparations under new manager Martin. Although Souttar will sit out the earliest sessions, the club is aiming to reinforce the squad with at least four fresh signings—reports link Max Aarons and Kwame Poku as near to finalising moves .
The draw for the Champions League play‑off landed Rangers a stern test, with Panathinaikos widely seen as the most formidable of the three potential opponents, which also included Servette and Brann Bergen .
What’s at Stake
The two-leg showdown marks a crucial juncture in Rangers’ European ambitions. A successful campaign secures entry into the lucrative Champions League group stage; failure means a drop into the Europa League. Having Souttar, a rugged presence at the heart of defence, back for these games would represent a considerable boost to Martin’s team.
Final Word
In summary, Souttar’s hernia surgery was not prompted by a sudden crisis but was a strategically-timed intervention planned around international commitments. The club’s medical team has outlined an encouraging recovery timeline that aligns neatly with the Champions League qualifier schedule. While he’ll miss the early stages of preseason training, everything points toward him being available for the showdown with Panathinaikos in late July.