John Souttar has been backed to 'come back stronger' from his Rangers derby day mistake that gifted Jota a goal at Parkhead.
The Light Blues star was drafted into Michael Beale's starting team beside Ben Davies after the Ibrox men suffered the blow of losing key defender Connor Goldson. The Scotland international has only recently returned to full training and has been picking up match minutes mainly from the bench while getting himself back to fitness.
However, he was thrown in from the off in the Old Firm thriller last weekend as Ange Postecoglou's men ran out 3-2 winners in a five-goal thriller with the Hoops' third goal coming from Souttar's error. His misjudged back pass allowed Jota to beat Allan McGregor to the ball before rounding the keeper and slotting home. Kyogo Furuhashi grabbed a double as did James Tavernier for Rangers as the champions moved 12 points clear.
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Alan Hutton believes a lack of action of late contributed to the mistake with a 'rustiness' still in his game as he works his way back. He knows the former Hearts man will be disappointed but is in no doubt he will not let it play on his mind.
He told Football Insider: “I think that is a large part of it.
“You have got to feel sorry for him. The injuries he has gone through have been really tough, all he wanted to do was get his Rangers career up and running and it has not managed to work out that way.
“I think he is a really good player when he has played consistently.
“He would not have started if it was not for Connor Goldson being injured so you have got that pressure of being thrown in. He has not played a lot of football and it is just that little bit of rustiness that is in his game.
“He will be disappointed but he will come back stronger.“
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