---
title: "John Souttar Remains in Rangers Plans After Aris Thessaloniki Transfer Collapses"
canonical: "https://readrangers.com/2026/09/17/john-souttar-remains-in-rangers-plans-after-aris-thessaloniki-transfer-collapses/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Rangers News"
published: "2026-09-17T05:27:51Z"
modified: "2026-09-17T05:27:51Z"
---

# John Souttar Remains in Rangers Plans After Aris Thessaloniki Transfer Collapses

Rangers defender John Souttar will remain at Ibrox Stadium until at least January after financial disagreements halted a proposed late move to Greek side Aris Thessaloniki.

The 29-year-old signed a contract extension in February but fell out of favour, creating a [tactical dilemma over defensive rotation](https://readrangers.com/2026/09/16/john-souttar-faces-rangers-wait-after-aris-thessaloniki-transfer-breakdown/) for manager Derek McInnes.

A spokesperson told the Daily Record that the transfer ultimately stalled because Souttar experienced “financial issues with Rangers” regarding a final compensation agreement.

## First Team Defensive Hierarchy

McInnes has firmly established Emmanuel Fernandez and Olwethu Makhanya as his preferred central defensive pairing, with Atalanta loanee Ben Godfrey serving as a regular substitute.

This established order leaves Souttar facing an uncertain spell without guaranteed minutes alongside fellow defensive outcast Clinton Nsiala-Makengo.

The deadline failure removes the final prospect of [a Greek escape](https://readrangers.com/2026/09/14/last-chance-saloon-for-john-souttar-s-greek-escape/) for the Scotland international.

Souttar recently lost his place in the national squad following a summer World Cup appearance, increasing the pressure to secure competitive domestic action.

Speaking before the international window closed, McInnes told [livescore.com](https://www.livescore.com/en/news/football/scottish-premiership/john-souttar-set-to-come-back-into-things-at-rangers-after-aris-thessaloniki-move-collapses-inside-ibrox) that the club would reassess the surplus defender’s status if a permanent transfer failed to materialise.

“But if he doesn’t move, and there isn’t anything that materialises, then of course we honour the contract, and he comes back into things,” McInnes confirmed.

Rangers next travel to face Celtic in the Premiership on Sunday 20 September.