Doha: Harry Souttar is happy to leave the transfer speculation growing around him to his agent as he declared his decision to represent the Socceroos rather than Scotland one of the best he’s made.
The beanpole defender was on track for a move to the English Premier League before his ACL injury last year, but his stunning performance at the World Cup in Australia’s 1-0 win over Tunisia – just his third senior outing since recovering from his knee reconstruction – and the way it has boosted his profile has left Stoke City fans resigned to losing him when the transfer window re-opens in January, and hopeful of getting a decent sum in return.
It feels inevitable that a top-flight club will come in for the 24-year-old, who had a $35 million price tag reportedly slapped on him by the Potters last year – and given his campaign so far in Qatar, that might be unders.
Souttar is understandably trying to block out the noise and keep his thoughts squarely on the task at hand for the Socceroos, who need to beat or draw with Denmark on Thursday morning (AEDT) to keep their World Cup hopes alive, but admitted he would love to test himself in one of Europe’s top leagues.
“My focus has got to be the here and now,” he said.
“I think if you ask every player, they want to play at the highest level they can, but my focus is purely on Denmark. I’ll let other people speak about all that for me, I don’t need to do that. I need to just concentrate on my performances on the pitch.”
Socceroos defender Harry Souttar.Credit:Getty
Souttar’s agent – who also represents injured teammate Martin Boyle – is in Doha, and his phone is likely ringing off the hook after the Aberdeen-born stopper’s spectacular display on Saturday night saw him go viral with his last-ditch tackle that ended a threatening Tunisian attack.
It has also left Scottish fans wondering how on earth they were able to let him slip through the net – especially since his older brother John, who plays for Rangers, has represented Scotland on six occasions.
“I spoke to him after the game – he was delighted with me,” Souttar said.
“We speak every day, and I’ve said before we became a lot, lot closer in the past last year. He didn’t make it for the last game – I think obviously with the Rangers manager leaving, I think he was obviously required to be in, so not too sure he can get days off, but hopefully, he’ll get to the Denmark game.
“And in terms of the Australia thing, listen, I got the phone call. It was a very simple decision from my point of view, and it’s probably the best decision I’ve ever made.”
They have only played together a handful of times, but Souttar and Rowles loom as a dependable centre-back combination that could carry Australia through the next two World Cup cycles, since both are yet to even come close to their prime as footballers.
“I’m just so pleased for him, obviously getting his move to Hearts and playing so well there,” Souttar said.
“It gives us good balance with him being a left-footed centre-half – you don’t get many of them in the game now that’s not only good on the ball but can defend really well and put his body on the line.
“[Our pairing is] obviously coming along well, we’re both sort of young … we just really like playing with each other. It’s good that when I make a mistake, he’s got my back, and vice versa.”
Towering defender Harry Souttar and Socceroos coach Graham Arnold.Credit:Getty
The feeling is mutual, too.
“It wasn’t my greatest moment, that’s for sure,” Rowles said of the error that Souttar sensationally mopped up with that lunging tackle on Tunisia’s Taha Yassine Kheniss.
“I pretty much just pinned it as quick as I could to get back. ‘H’ swallowed him up in about three strides. I said thank you after the game to him about five times because I think I owe him a couple after that, for sure.
“He’s obviously at such a young age, he’s got an awful lot of experience at international level already. He just says to keep calm and play your game. That instils a lot of confidence and belief in myself to hear those kinds of words from a player such as him.”
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