Celtic could regret not making John Souttar move, says former Hoops’ winger

John Souttar’s impending move to theRangers in the summer has meant that not only do Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men strengthen themselves, they also weaken another of the Scottish Premiership’s better sides. And ex Celtic winger Gary Mackay-Steven is dumbfounded as to why Ange Postecoglou and co have declined to make a move for the Scotland international – especially on a free transfer.

Mackay-Steven and Souttar famously scored in the 2-1 win over Ange’s men in his first league game of the season back on July 31, with Souttar scoring a last-gasp header at Tynecastle to leave Celtic fans fearing the worst for the season.

Photo: Malcolm Mackenzie

Proceedings have evidently gotten better, with Celtic remaining just four points from the summit behind theRangers with 17 league games to go.

But Souttar’s superb form throughout the season saw him linked with moves to English sides Sheffield United, Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest amongst others before his decision to join theRangers on a pre-contract agreement for the summer.

With Celtic’s defensive record being the best in the division – conceding just twelve goals all season – Souttar’s addition was not likely to be paramount to their future successes as a club.

But the Scotland international would have been the ideal addition to Postecoglou’s ranks, according to Mackay-Steven.

“I’m not sure, it’s surprising,” Mackay-Steven said to the Glasgow Times.

“He proved [against St Johnstone], he just strolled the game and it was one of his better performances under all that scrutiny.

“I know Celtic have the boy Welsh, who has done really well. They’ve signed Starfelt and a few centre-halves. They’ve obviously spent money on bringing all the Japanese boys from the league that the manager used to be in. Maybe that was their main focus and he just wasn’t their top choice. 

“Maybe it’s just the one that got away, I don’t know but he’s a top, top player.”

Mackay-Steven made 62 apearances for the Bhoys in two-and-a-half years, scoring 10 goals along the way whilst winning three league titles and a Scottish League Cup, before departing to Aberdeen after minutes became scarce; understandably so given the form of Scott Sinclair, Stuart Armstrong and even Patrick Roberts at the time.

Will Lancaster

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