Two brothers, two nations, one World Cup & how grief bound them

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, John Souttar (left) will feature for Scotland at the World Cup this summer, while brother Harry (right) represents Australia Aaron Souttar was the cooler big brother. Young John and younger Harry wanted their hair like his. They bought the same clothes and the same shoes. They copied his music taste. A talented golfer and a lover of football, Aaron also played a significant role in shaping the careers of Harry and John, who will represent Australia and Scotland respectively in the World Cup this summer. He was a role model in every sense, yet still more than that. Aged 18 years older than Harry "he was like a second dad," says the Leicester City defender. "I had him on a pedestal. He was the cool one." In July 2022, Harry and John lost their hero. Aaron died at the age of 42 after a long battle with motor neurone disease, but his influence lives on. Inside the fairytale journey of Scotland captain Robertson Published23 hours agoHow Scotland reached the World Cup - told by those who made it happen Published1 day agoPatient, precise, clinical - are Scotland ready to make World Cup mark? Published2 days agoTattoo tributes & dedicating goalsWhether it was school football, boys' club or anything that came further down the line, there was a different feeling for Harry when Aaron came to watch. "I'd always love it," says the 27-year-old, who is eligible for the Socceroos through his Australian-born mum, Heather. "Playing and looking at the side and seeing him there, I was always trying to impress him." The hope was for both brothers to be drawn in the same World Cup group, but instead the family will have to split games across the United States and Canada. Aaron's absence will be sorely felt. "He would be over here with his pals in a pub, drinking all day and playing a bit of golf," says Harry. The Leicester defender and fellow centre-back John will each have tattoos of their big brother to remind themselves of the impact he had - and still continues to have. John has endured serious injury trouble throughout a career that has taken him from Dundee United to Rangers via Hearts. When the 29-year-old returned from one lengthy setback and scored his first Scotland goal in a World Cup qualifying victory against Denmark, he dedicated that moment to Aaron as he battled illness. "My brother Aaron, he's at home," he said in November 2021. "He couldn't make it tonight, but that was for him because he helped me a lot during my rehab." Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A tattoo on Harry Souttar's left arm depicts older brother Aaron taking a golf swing Even after a period of unimaginable grief that still goes on, Harry - who spent last season on loan at Sheffield United - is able to find a crumb of comfort from a tragic period. "When Aaron became ill, it did bring me and John a lot closer together, certainly after his passing as well," he says. "Not that me and John were never that close or anything like that, but with me living in England and him playing in Scotland, we didn't really speak a lot." In the wake of tragedy, their bond has become stronger. Texts and calls have now become more frequent, even if it is just to "talk about random things". "The one good thing to come from it, if you could say it's a good thing, would be that it's brought me and John closer," Harry adds. Both brothers kick off their World Cup schedules on Sunday, with Scotland facing Haiti (02:00 BST) directly before Australia take on Turkey (05:00). "It's just great that we're both here," Harry says. "I know John missed out on the Euros a few years ago, which he was absolutely gutted about. "I'm absolutely over the moon that he's here. And it's one that the family are all filled with pride with. For me, I'm proud of him as well." Everything you need to know about the World Cup

Two brothers, two nations, one World Cup & how grief bound them

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