Danny Rohl Sets Contract Priorities at Rangers Amid Centre-Back Uncertainty — John Souttar Renewal at the Forefront
As Danny Rohl settles into his new role as Rangers manager, one of his first and most pressing tasks is clarifying the futures of the club’s defensive stalwarts.
With uncertainty hanging over Derek Cornelius’s permanent future, Rohl is reportedly prioritising an extension for John Souttar — and few would argue against it.
Cornelius, currently on loan at Ibrox from Marseille, has yet to earn a permanent move, and Rangers are still evaluating their centre-back depth.
While he has made appearances this season, doubts remain whether he can become a long-term cornerstone of the defence.
That leaves Souttar, the experienced Scotland international, as Rohl’s most reliable—and logical—asset in the backline. But Souttar’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season, and without action from the club, Rangers risk losing him for free.
For Rohl, who has been handed the task of rebuilding around a squad in flux, securing Souttar’s future should be non-negotiable. According to IBROX News, extending the 28-year-old’s deal “should be Rohl’s clear priority.”
Souttar’s contributions on the field support the urgency. Per performance metrics, he averages 6.27 clearances, 4.36 ball recoveries, and wins over five duels per 90 minutes — numbers that underline his value as a defensive anchor.
In a squad where younger or loaned centre-backs like Nasser Djiga or Cornelius have yet to prove long-term reliability, Souttar’s experience and consistency are key.
Beyond performance, there is a leadership element. Despite contract uncertainty, Souttar has expressed his commitment to Rangers. He has spoken warmly of Ibrox, saying he “loves being here” and feels “honoured” to pull on the jersey. His voice in the dressing room and on the pitch makes him not just a short-term fix, but a possible long-term pillar as Rohl reshapes the squad.
Yet there are hurdles. Previous reports suggest that contract talks have stalled, leaving the Ibrox faithful uneasy.
For Rohl — already juggling the rebuild of a squad in defensive disarray — failure to tie down Souttar could undermine his foundation before he’s even built it.
Rangers’ recruitment challenges do not stop with contracts. Analysts argue that the defensive unit needs serious reinforcement — potentially up to three centre-backs — to get back to the consistency expected at this club. But while heavy investment may be needed, retaining Souttar cost-effectively would be an immediate win.
In summary, as Rohl begins to plot his course at Ibrox, re-securing John Souttar is a smart, perhaps essential, first move. With Cornelius’s future hanging in the balance and other options unproven, Souttar offers not only quality but continuity. For Rangers, letting him walk would risk weakening both the heart of the defence and the core of Rohl’s vision.