John Souttar 'loves being at Rangers' as he enters final year of contract

Rangers defender John Souttar says he “loves” being at Ibrox and is “honoured” to wear the jersey, but is yet to hear anything about a new deal as he enters the final year of his contract.

The 28-year-old Scotland international, who captained Russell Martin’s side on Tuesday, will be a free agent at the end of the season, meaning he could potentially sign a pre-contract with another club in January.

However, he insists he hasn’t put too much thought into his own future, with his full concentration on performances on the park.

Speaking after the 3-0 Champions League qualifier win over Viktoria Plzen, he said: “I love this place, I love this club and I love being here, so that’s really all I will say on the matter.

“I haven’t really heard much recently, so all I can do is train hard every day. Every time I step out onto the pitch I enjoy playing for Rangers because I know how special the club is to play for.

“So I will continue to give 100% every game, and I’m sure the rest will take care of itself.

“Whatever happens will happen, all I can say is that every time I pull on that jersey I am honoured, and that will never change. Every time I step out onto the pitch I will give everything.

“There is a lot on my mind with how we are playing every game, so I don’t really have much time to think about anything else just now, but, as I say, I love being here and that is the main thing.”

Following the first-leg victory over Plzen on Tuesday night, Gers boss Russell Martin was asked about Souttar’s contract situation and said: “John knows how I feel about him. Kevin (Thelwell, sporting director) and the gang know how I feel about him.

“But on the contract front, it will be dictated by John, his agent and the hierarchy here. I’ll keep giving my opinion, for sure, but it’s not my job to sort that stuff out.”

Martin got the positive reaction he was looking for from his side following the deflating 1-1 draw in their opening Premiership game against Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday.

The Gers boss hit out at some of his squad and Tavernier, midfielder Nicolas Raskin, attacker Kieran Dowell and striker Danilo were left out for the visit of the Czech side.

New signing Oliver Antman, the Finland winger who joined from Go Ahead Eagles on Monday, made an impressive debut with left-back Jefte, midfielder Lyall Cameron and Cyriel Dessers returning and improvement was immediate.

Winger Djeidi Gassama scored after 14 minutes, Dessers added a second from the spot just before the interval and Gassama scored a third early in the second half – his fourth European goal in three Euro ties – to put Rangers in a strong position ahead of the return leg next week.

Souttar said: “I think when any of us go out in Ibrox we have to put in a big performance, and especially after the weekend, I think we let ourselves down. I think everyone will tell you that.

“We did all that work in pre-season, we worked hard and to play the way we did at the weekend, it was disappointing for everyone.

“So it was important we bounced back. I think we did that, especially in the first half.

“I thought in the second half we maybe dipped a bit, we went back a bit more than we should have.

“But I thought in the first half we showed great energy, we passed the ball, everyone was up for it, we moved.

“It was enjoyable to play. When we’re playing like that it’s an enjoyable place to play.”