Hearts team-mate backs John Souttar to star against future employers Rangers in Scottish Cup final

Already in a giddy mood with their reserve side 2-1 up on next weekend’s Scottish Cup final opponents, the Rangers fans in the away end enthusiastically cheered the introduction of the man who has already committed to join their side when his contract in Edinburgh expires this summer.

Not that Souttar’s return wasn’t appreciated by the home crowd at Tynecastle Park. He was applauded alongside fellow centre-back Craig Halkett when the two warmed up shortly before their introduction as both men are pushing to be fit in time for the game at Hampden Park.

There has, however, been concerns among the fanbase as to whether it would be wise to play Souttar in front of 50,000 fans in Scotland’s showpiece encounter as he tries to help his soon-to-be former club get one over on his upcoming employers. Though relations between the maroon half of Edinburgh and Souttar have improved since he was booed with every touch in a match against St Johnstone following the announcement of his Ibrox pre-contract, there still remains a nagging doubt.

For Halkett, though, the decision is a no brainer.

“John’s a top professional. He’s a Hearts player at the moment. He’s not going to be a Rangers player until the start of next season. He is fully concentrating on winning the cup with Hearts,” he said. “It’s a chance to win a major trophy in Scotland. He will be doing everything he can for Hearts and all the boys to win the cup. Having John back is so important for the squad.

“You look at the previous teams that have won cups with Hearts, they still get spoken about to this day. It’s a chance to write yourself into the history of this club. It would be a massive achievement for all the boys in there, not just John. Everyone is going to be doing