John Souttar is delighted to have been reunited with childhood friend Ryan Gauld while on Scotland duty.
After playing football together as children both came through at Brechin City Youths before moving on to Dundee United, where they shared accommodation with current Scotland captain Andy Robertson – and they then became first-team regulars before their careers took different paths.
Defender Souttar, now 28, moved to Hearts in 2016 and then Rangers in 2022 with Gauld, also 28, having spells in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon, Vitoria de Setubal, Aves and Farense. He went on loan to Hibernian before he joined Canadian outfit Vancouver Whitecaps in 2021.
Having also both played together for Scotland’s youth sides, Gauld came off the bench to join Souttar in Saturday’s 2-1 Nations League defeat by Croatia in Zagreb and did likewise in the goalless draw with Portugal at Hampden Park on Tuesday.
“It’s amazing,” said Souttar, as he recalled their journey. “Obviously, we grew up together.
“Our parents are friends, and we played since we were tiny, at boys club, schools, we went to school together.
“We have been through everything and now we are together in the national team. So, yeah, it’s amazing.”
After three League A Group 1 defeats out of three, Scotland picked up their first point against a talented Portuguese side who had the bulk of the pressure and chances but could not break down a solid rearguard, albeit the result means Steve Clarke’s side have won only one of their last 16 games – a friendly victory over Gibraltar.
Portugal remain top with 10 points, Croatia on seven and Poland on four with Scotland in the relegation spot with one.
Souttar said: “It’s the first point in the campaign.
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“I think we deserved it. Over the course of the campaign we have been pretty unlucky not to pick up a point at least.
“So it’s pleasing. I think all the boys gave everything.”
Veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon who, like Souttar, was left out of Clarke’s squad for the Euros in the summer, saved from Bruno Fernandes three minutes from time to deny the visitors a fourth straight victory, with superstar Cristiano Ronaldo storming off the pitch in a huff at the end of the game.
The 41-year-old believes the morale-boosting point against the group leaders stands them in good stead for the double-header against Croatia and Poland next month.
He said: “I think the effort has been there. The boys are really trying to give everything to get that win.
“It’s going to be so difficult when you’re playing the opposition of the calibre that we are.
“So it was a great effort to get the draw. We want to try to win these games in this group, so we’ve got something to build on now.
“We’re off the mark, which is pleasing, and we’ll go again next month.
“I probably didn’t envisage that (recall) coming around so soon and playing against a team with the quality of players that Scotland have so very happy to get that clean sheet against one of the best teams in the world, so really pleasing for everybody.
“We are happy with a point but we had a few chances of our own where we could have nicked the game but it was a real team effort and it will take all of that and more to get a win.”
