John Souttar, the Scottish defender for Rangers, is calling for the team to swiftly move on from their recent defeat against Lyon in the Europa League. Despite entering the match with four consecutive victories and an impressive defensive record, Rangers were soundly beaten 4-1 at Ibrox on Thursday.
The defeat was a disappointing result for Philippe Clement’s side, with key missed opportunities from captain James Tavernier and Vaclav Cerny proving costly. Lyon’s 19-year-old Belgian forward, Malick Fofana, set the tone with an early goal, which was followed by two strikes from Alexandre Lacazette before halftime. Fofana added a second goal in the second half to secure Lyon’s victory.
Looking ahead, Rangers are set to face St Johnstone on Sunday under the guidance of new head coach Simo Valakari. Souttar emphasised the importance of not letting one defeat overshadow their recent progress, noting the fine margins in football that can make a difference.
Reflecting on the Lyon game and the upcoming match, Souttar acknowledged the need for improvement while maintaining a positive outlook. He highlighted the team’s previous strong performance against Malmo and stressed the importance of learning from mistakes.
Souttar expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back, citing their resilience and determination. Emphasising the need to regain their defensive solidity, he underscored the importance of quickly refocusing on the next match and putting the Lyon defeat behind them.
The defender’s message is clear: Rangers must draw a line under the Lyon loss, analyse their performance, and demonstrate a strong response against St Johnstone. Souttar’s belief in the team’s character and unity suggests that Rangers are poised to bounce back from this setback and continue their journey towards success in the upcoming fixtures.