The inside track on why Rangers-bound John Souttar is tailor-made for pressures of Ibrox

The 25-year-old centre back signed a pre-contract with the Scottish champions on Friday and, as it stands, will team up with the Ibrox club in the summer when his contract with Hearts comes to an end.

Gomis, a one-time Rangers target who is now plying his trade with Clyde, spent a season playing alongside Souttar in one of the most exciting Arabs sides of recent times.

He says he was always destined for the top: “He was a good young boy who just enjoyed playing football. All he wanted to do was just to play and try to do the best for himself and for the club.

“You could tell he was a special player because he had that composure even though he was playing as a centre back. Being 17 playing week in week out, you knew what he was doing with the ball. At that age you’re like, ‘Whoah, if you carry on like this you could become a great player!’

“He’s never lost that composure that he had when he started playing first-team football.

“He’s very strong both on and off the ball and it’s not easy going one-v-one against him because he’s such a strong boy. He’s fast as well and he has a good range of passing so all round he’s just a great centre back.”

Gomis and Souttar celebrate with Dundee United teammates Nadir Ciftci and Ryan Gauld after beating Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Ibrox in 2014

The pair were part of the United team who beat Rangers 3-1 in the Scottish Cup semi-final in 2014 and the former Senegalese midfielder says it’s not a surprise to see Souttar and others forge successful careers after leaving Tannadice.

He said: “Jackie McNamara managed to sign a lot of good players and we had a lot of young players coming through the academy so he managed to put it all together.

“The boys were just enjoying playing with each other. They weren’t scared, they just wanted to go out and enjoy playing football. That’s the reason why we had a great season and that’s the reason why most of the players have gone on to have great careers because they had no fear.”

“I’m not surprised John is now playing for Scotland because that was one of his dreams to play for his country from such a young age.

“He had a bad injury before and to come back from that maybe made him a stronger player, mentally stronger and it’s perhaps made him a better player.

READ MORE: Ex-manager hails John Souttar to Rangers move as 'steal of the century'

Playing for Rangers brings extra scrutiny but Gomis says that won’t faze his former United buddy: “He’ll definitely fit in playing for Rangers.

“Obviously Rangers is a bigger club than Hearts but I don’t think he'll struggle with the extra pressure on him. He’ll go and do his best for the club and himself as well.

“That’s the next step for him to keep improving himself and I think the best is yet to come because he’s only 25 and I think his best years are ahead of him.

“He’s still got a lot of improving to do and I think he’s going to be a top, top player for Rangers.”