Rangers Defender Faces Fresh Greek Approach: Should McInnes Sell?

Rangers Defender Faces Fresh Greek Approach: Should McInnes Sell? Aris Thessaloniki plan to reopen their pursuit of John Souttar when the transfer window opens on January 2, according to the Glasgow Times . The Greek Super League side, currently fifth in their table, still want the Ranger s centre-back after a deal that looked finished in September collapsed at the final hurdle. Souttar, 30, had agreed a three-year contract with Aris, and Rangers had reportedly accepted a fee of around £1m. The sticking point was his exit settlement. He wanted the final year of his Ibrox deal covered, while Rangers reportedly offered less. An Aris spokesman blamed “financial issues with Rangers” when the Greek window shut, and reports in Greece say the club’s interest has survived the delay. Where Souttar stands at Ibrox The Aberdeen-born defender has made 132 appearances since arriving from Hearts in January 2022. He is left-footed, calm on the ball and comfortable stepping out of defence, but his career has been punctuated by injuries, including three Achilles ruptures, and that history has shaped how much trust he receives over a full season. He is now fifth in Derek McInnes’s pecking order, behind Emmanuel Fernandez and summer signings Ben Godfrey, Ross McCrorie and Olwethu Makhanya. He also missed out on Sebastien Pocognoli’s first Scotland squad. McInnes said Rangers would honour the contract if no exit emerged, yet the reality is that a side four points behind Celtic (with a game in hand) and unbeaten in 12 games has little room for a defender outside the main rotation. Should Rangers sell John Souttar in January? GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 31: John Souttar of Rangers celebrates scoring his team’s goal with teammate James Tavernier, which is later disallowed during the Premier League match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on August 31, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) Yes, but only on terms that stop Rangers overpaying for the privilege. Souttar’s contract expires next summer, so Aris hold the stronger hand: wait six months, and he arrives free. That should end any hope of a meaningful fee, and Rangers would be better advised to split the settlement than repeat the September standoff. The case for keeping him is injury cover, and it is equally important given his record. Even so, a fifth-choice centre-back who has dropped out of the Scotland squad and wants to leave offers cover that McInnes may not trust or use. Four players already sit ahead of him, and a title run needs a dressing room without a disgruntled squad member. Clearing his wages also gives Rangers a cleaner squad list for the second half of the season. Let him go, and spend the savings on depth that McInnes will actually play.