When Rangers last clinched the league title, nearly every regular starter could have been named Player of the Year. The success was built on a collective effort, where even under-the-radar contributors like Ianis Hagi managed to rack up 20 goal involvements.
The defensive unit was record-breaking but largely overlooked, with only Allan McGregor receiving individual accolades—despite Connor Goldson and the rest of the backline being equally vital to the campaign.
Fast forward to the present, and the picture is starkly different. This season’s Player of the Year selections felt predetermined. Only Nicolas Raskin can genuinely be satisfied with his contributions, while Hamza Igamane’s recognition as Young Player of the Year hints at his potential to lead the side in the near future.
Among the award recipients was John Souttar, who claimed the John Greig Achievement Award. However, his form has been among the most disappointing, prompting sharp criticism from Craig Moore on Go Radio. Moore called out Souttar’s lacklustre performance against St Mirren, pointing to broader concerns about mentality within the squad. In Moore’s view, when Raskin stands alone as the standout performer, it underscores a deeper issue of inconsistency across the board.
The situation raises questions about Souttar’s role going forward. While he’s arguably among the league’s top centre-backs alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers, his lapses in concentration remain costly. Constant changes in defensive partners and formations haven’t helped, but as someone tipped for a leadership role, he needs to set the standard.
For Rangers to return to title-winning form, they must once again rely on consistent contributions from multiple players. Just as Steven Gerrard had to rebuild from scratch in 2018, Kevin Thelwell and Nils Koppen now face a similar challenge. After all, scoring goals may win matches—but a solid defence is what wins championships.
