Truth be told, Mustafi isn't that much better than Phillips or Williams. The issue is that, at 19-years-old, Williams could have an excellent future ahead of him. A costly mistake this season could well mean that he never reaches his potential. It is best that he does not play again until he is ready. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY GOAL.
Scotland defender John Souttar and his brother Harry, representing Australia, have both made it to the 2026 World Cup in North America after years of hardship.
The brothers grew up in Brechin and came through the Dundee United academy together, sharing a football upbringing that shaped both their careers from a young age.
Scotland opened their Group C campaign with a 1-0 win against Haiti in Boston, with John lining up at the heart of defence for his country.
Just three hours later, Harry helped Australia claim a brilliant 2-0 victory over Turkey in Vancouver, representing his mother’s native nation more than 3000 miles away.
For parents Jack and Heather, following both sons at a World Cup spread across different venues and different continents presents a genuine and extraordinary logistical dilemma.
Sean Dillon, who played alongside both brothers at Dundee United over a decade ago, says he is full of admiration for what they have each achieved to reach this stage.
Dillon said: “I’m absolutely buzzing for them, it’s no more than John and Harry deserve. It’s mental they’re representing countries from different sides of the world, especially given how close-knit the family is.”
The road to North America has been anything but smooth, with John suffering three separate Achilles injuries throughout his career that threatened to derail him entirely.
Harry also ruptured his Achilles while at Leicester City, meaning he did not kick a competitive ball for 16 months before returning to action just two months ago.
Beyond the physical setbacks, both brothers endured personal grief four years ago when their older brother Aaron passed away at the age of 42 after a battle with motor neurone disease.
Harry has spoken of how losing Aaron brought him even closer to John, and both carry tattoo tributes to their brother as they compete on the world stage.
Dillon said: “The loss of their brother — I have no doubt that they’ll say football and injuries and everything else goes out the window when you’ve been through something like that.”
He added: “Football is not the be all and end all. Although they’ll be having an amazing time at the World Cup, I’ve no doubt they’ll be missing their big brother and thinking about him all the time.”
Dillon, who is still playing for Montrose at the age of 42, was standing beside a 16-year-old John Souttar when he made his Dundee United debut against Aberdeen in a New Year Premiership fixture.
He recalled former manager Peter Houston instructing him to help the teenager settle, only to find that John needed very little guidance at all.
Dillon said: “John was great. Coming in so young, he always had that relaxed nature about him. He was just so chilled and looked so confident in everything he did.”
Two years after John’s debut, a then-towering Harry made his own appearance in a 3-3 draw against Partick Thistle, with Dillon unable to offer his usual vocal guidance due to a fractured bone in his neck suffered the previous week.
Harry had represented Scotland at under-19 level but his call-ups stalled, and Australia moved quickly once his mother’s nationality became known, handing him an international pathway that has now led to a second World Cup.
Dillon reflected on both brothers’ journeys by saying: “They are amazing people and the boys have come through a lot in their footballing careers and also in their personal life. They both deserve enormous credit.”
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