• Moving on after frustration of Dundee postponement
  • All clear after Old Firm head knock
  • Making up for lost time during second term at Ibrox

John Souttar has spoken to the media ahead of the Premiership fixture with Ross County. Here is what he had to say.

How frustrating was that for the players?

It was frustrating, especially with it being the second time. We prepared the day before. It was extremely frustrating but there is nothing we can do about it.

You would have been itching to get back out there?

Yeah, exactly. We just want to play football. We prepared for the two days to play the game and then for it to be cancelled the way it did was frustrating.

Did you just have to wait and wait?

We prepared normally for the game and then got the texts, when you guys knew as well, to say that the game was off. That was it. We came back here.

What happened with the head knock on Sunday?

It was a collision in the box. It is fine. All good.

How do you feel about this game?

I am feeling good. I just want to play as many games as possible and stay in the rhythm. Everyone is looking forward to it. With the game being cancelled, we came in today for a hard session. Everyone is looking forward to the game on Sunday now.

Can it be a silver lining that you have had the rest?

To be honest, I think the boys prefer playing games and playing as many as possible. We have got a big squad and a strong squad and we can cope with that. It is what it is. It was off and all focus is on Sunday.

How difficult has it been for the players to remain focused?

I don’t think it has been difficult. The gaffer takes all the pressure on himself and says to us to concentrate on the games. That is what happens. We prepared normally as if the game was going ahead and when it was cancelled it was cancelled. There was nothing we could do as players. We just had to prepare properly and we will do the same for this weekend.

How do you feel about playing on surfaces like that?

I think it is a double-edged sword. All of us have played on bad surfaces at one time or another at your boys club or school and played on public parks and bad surfaces, it has not always been flat, green grass. I think everyone wanted to play the game. At the end of the day it was the decision to call it off and we respect that. We have played on surfaces this season that haven’t been ideal and Dumbarton in the cup was soaking but it is part and parcel of football in Scotland. It is not always perfect but it is important as a team that we adapt to it.

Clubs just don’t have the money to do it?

That is the thing. It is money. Look, I will leave that to everyone else. I will just concentrate on football.

How would you feel about playing in front of no fans?

You want to play in front of fans, I think every single player will tell you that. The Covid season wasn’t the same intensity. Hopefully that isn’t something we need to deal with.

Is it a sad indictment on Scottish football if it comes to that?

It is ifs, buts and maybes, isn’t it? There is no point discussing something that might not happen. I will answer that if it happens next week.

How do you view the next few weeks for you with the Euros around the corner?

To be honest, my full focus is on Rangers. It is massive for us at the end of the season, there are six, seven weeks left and everyone knows what is at stake. For me, the full focus is on every game. I know it is cliché but it is so important we go into every game with full concentration and full belief in what we have been doing for the last months since the gaffer came in. We stick to everything that has got us in this position and the rest will take care of itself.

How do you feel the season has gone after a difficult first year here?

Absolutely. Everyone knows last season for me was far from ideal and it wasn’t what I dreamed of when I signed here. But this season, so far, I have made up probably for lost time in the games that I have played and the minutes I have had on the pitch. I think towards the end of the season I will look back in the summer and how we have finished the season and hopefully it is a great end. I will be doing everything I can personally and everyone in the changing room will be collectively to make sure it is one we can remember for the rest of our lives.

Is this the biggest two months of your career?

Probably when you put it like that, maybe it is. That was your words not mine. I will maybe look back when I am older and look back and think that was a big spell in my career. Just now I am focusing game by game and doing everything I can for this club.