Scotland manager Steve Clarke didn’t win any fans at Rangers when he left John Souttar out of his Euro 2024 squad.
With the 27-year-old Ibrox defender recovering from an injury issue at the end of the season, the Scotland boss preferred other options for the trip to Germany.
But after Watford star Ryan Porteous – another Tartan Army figure Rangers fans don’t exactly see eye-to-eye with – was sent packing v Germany, bluenoses couldn’t resist criticising Clarke’s pre-tournament decision making.
Now, the decision to leave John Souttar at home has taken a fresh twist and come back to haunt the Scotland manager as UEFA come down hard on Porteous’s challenge.
UEFA hammer Scotland’s Porteous
Rangers fans knows all too well the over-aggressive tackling style of Ryan Porteous.
During the defender’s time at Hibs, the Scotland star was sent off multiple times for late, lunging leg-breakers which even drew the ire of Steven Gerrard.
Unfortunately for Scotland and Steve Clarke, misplaced trust in the defender has come back to haunt the nation’s Euro 2024 bid and not just because of the 5-1 hammering at the hands of Germany.
UEFA have confirmed that Ryan Porteous will now miss the next two group stage games after the shocking red card tackle on Ilkay Gundogan was upgraded to a two-match ban.
It means Scotland will be a defender short for the clashes with Switzerland & Hungary and it’s little wonder Rangers fans have been left smarting.
Grant Hanley (Norwich City), Scott McKenna (unattached), or Liam Cooper (Leeds United) will now be asked to step in alongside Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq) and Kieran Tierney (Arsenal) in the Scotland back three.
But with arguably the nation’s best centre-back watching on at home in John Souttar, Scotland boss Clarke may well face a post-tournament inquest.
Scotland’s Euro 2024 hopes hang in balance
Scotland face a real challenge to get out of Group A after the energy-sapping humbling at the hands of hosts Germany.
With Switzerland already overcoming Hungary 3-1, a clash against the late stage competition regulars is set for Wednesday as the Tartan Army head to Köln in their numbers.
Rangers don’t have a single representative in the Scotland set-up either with former Ibrox midfielder Ryan Jack released at the end of his contract.
There are some with Rangers links in the Scotland set up – not least academy trio Liam Kelly, Ross McCrorie & Billy Gilmour – but how John Souttar must be feeling left at home.
Say what you like about the defender’s fitness, but it speaks volumes that the aggressive defending of Ryan Porteous got the nod over the Rangers star.
