John Souttar will continue to give his all for the club he loves despite the uncertainty of his Rangers future.
The 28-year-old Scotland international signed for the Light Blues from Hearts in 2022 and has moved into the final year of his contract.
Following the 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifier at Ibrox 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.”
“Look, I love this place. I love this club,” said Souttar, who took over the armband from James Tavernier who was dropped to the bench.
“I love being here. That’s really all I’ll say on the matter.
“I’ve not really heard much recently, so all I can do is train hard every day.
“Every day I step on the pitch, I enjoy playing for the Rangers because I know how special the club is to play for.
“Every time I step on the pitch, I give it 100 per cent, and I’m sure the rest will take care of themselves.
“Look, whatever happens, will happen. All I can say is, every time I pull on that jersey, I’m honoured, and that will never change. Every time I step on that pitch, I’ll give everything.”
Martin got the positive reaction he was looking for from his side following the deflating 1-1 draw in the opening William Hill Premiership opener 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.”
