JOHN SOUTTAR says he’s relishing the busy schedule at Rangers over the coming weeks as the Gers return to league action following the international hiatus.
The Light Blues are gearing up for seven games over a 21-day period, which kicks off with a trip to Ayrshire to face Kilmarnock at Sunday lunchtime.
Speaking to the media ahead of the visit to Rugby Park, the 28-year-old commented: “Every footballer wants to play all the time, so it’s more games, less training, and that’s what it’s going to be for the next three or four months.
“I feel in a really good spot physically that I can do that, and I’m looking forward to all the games.
“It was always going to take time given the number of bodies who left in the summer.
“It was a massive turnaround in the changing room and on the pitch.
“It’s up to us to show it; everyone can speak but it’s up to us to show it on the pitch now.
“This next block is going to be massive for all of us.
“What do we expect from Kilmarnock? We know it’s going to be a difficult game and we know that if we’re one percent off then they’ll punish us.
“We all have to be on it physically and mentally.”
Souttar is fresh from successive starts on international duty with Scotland, where he helped marshal Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in a goalless draw at Hampden Park in midweek.
It was a significant moment for the central defender, who believes he’s playing the best – and most consistent – football of his career having played every minute of the campaign so far under Philippe Clement.
He added: “It was good to get back playing for Scotland. It was one of my aims this season and it was an enjoyable two games.
“At the time it was disappointing [missing the European Championships], but it’s part of football and something which gave me motivation in the summer to come back as strong as possible and force myself into the team.
“It was really good to get the clean sheet. I think it was the whole team rather than just the defence; we were really good defensively. It was an enjoyable night.
“Am I playing the best football of my career? It’s probably the longest spell that I’ve had.
“I’m 28 now and my body is in a good position to play these games. You need to play every three days if you want to play consistently for Rangers in defence.
“I feel that I’m in a good spot just now.
“A lot of it is about growing up as well and your body handling playing every three days.
“I played a lot of football on the left side last year, but I feel more comfortable on the right.
“The angles are different when you’re coming out with the ball on your right foot, but I’ll play there no problem on the left if I’m asked to play there.
“I feel comfortable next to [Robin Propper]. He was straight into the team as soon as he came in.
“We’ve had some good games and games where we could have done better, but as all partnerships go it’s taken time to get the camaraderie together.”