“My brother passed away three and a half months ago, so I have him on my arm to remind me every day how brilliant he was,” Souttar said.
Family clearly means everything to the 24-year-old, both by blood and sporting. His other brother, John, a six-time Scotland international for Rangers, has seen his promising career cut short by three Achilles tendon injuries that have sidelined him for much of the last three years.
“You have your ups and downs. But for me, a big part of rehab was talking to my brother…to see what he went through, mine really didn’t seem that bad,” Souttar said. “It was a great support. And in the same way everyone in the family, teammates and people at the club as well.
John has just had surgery again after another recent injury, which may mean he can’t come and wear the Aussie number 19 jersey Harry is waiting for him in Doha. Other members of the clan are definitely on the way, though as Souttar joked, they’re unlikely to be happy about the ban on beer sales in World Cup stadiums here.
At least they can watch him play. For a while, it seemed very risky for Souttar, who said he never lost faith in his ability to be in shape for the biggest moment of his career to date, but there was also not a moment along the way where he thought it was a certainty.
He described the process as “gradual,” one of baby steps: starting with sprints, then longer ones, different types of ball work, eyeing his teammates enviously as he rode a stationary bike around the training base. for Stoke City, then minutes for his under-23 team, and finally a senior return for the English Championship club, who had been showing strong transfer interest from Premier League sides before he went down with injury.
Harry Souttar arrived just in time to play in the World Cup after recovering from a long-term knee injury.Credit:Getty
With any luck, part of which his family clearly owes when it comes to football, he’ll soon be playing at that level. For now, however, he is a vital part of the Socceroos’ plans at this World Cup, not only because of his defensive prowess but also because of his aerial prowess, which can come in handy on Wednesday (AEDT) against a France team that He is vulnerable on set pieces. .
Souttar has six goals from his 10 appearances for Australia, which is an amazing comeback for a central defender, but not so surprising when you consider that he is 198cm tall, and all came against what he politely described as “lower nations”. . in the first part of the Asian classification.
Charging
France have much bigger bodies to contend with, but he is eager to keep up.
“Don’t worry about it, it’s going to be a really tough challenge. We know they are a very good team,” he said.
“We know equally, we have so much faith in ourselves, so much belief that we can go out there and do something. In terms of myself to be ready, in terms of fitness I feel great, I feel good. Mentally I feel very strong too.
“I don’t want to say too much because the team hasn’t been selected yet. But obviously, it will be a great privilege and an honor. [to play] and a really proud moment, not only for me, but also for my family, my mother especially and my brother as well.”