Souttar recalls 'scary' concussion experience

Rangers and Scotland defender John Souttar recalled a "scary" experience as he joined the Scottish Sports Concussion Advisory Group.

The former Dundee United and Hearts centre-back has joined former Scotland rugby international Geoff Cross and Olympic cyclist Neah Evans as athlete ambassadors to help contribute to the education and awareness programme.

Souttar spent a night in hospital in 2017 after suffering a head injury while playing for Scotland Under-21s against Latvia.

"My own experience was a bit scary," he said. "I thought I'd been stretchered off but I've since seen pictures of me walking off the pitch.

"My return was very carefully managed and the doctors were great, checking on my symptoms and taking me through the process step by step.

"This cause deserves a powerful voice at every level. As ambassador, the focus must be on grassroots awareness, where the real difference is made."

Statistics suggest half of sports concussions go unreported and young people aged 10-19 are most affected.

The education programme arose from activism by Peter Robinson, whose 14-year-old son Ben died after suffering an injury during a school rugby match.

Co-chair of the group Dr Stephanie Adams said: "We need to start learning about this critical topic from a young age.

"That's where we can begin to truly shift the culture to respect and protect the brain but also encourage safe, lifelong, sport and exercise participation."