Outstanding John Souttar bows out on a high as best Hearts player on the pitch against Rangers at Hampden

The Rangers manager was forced to take evasive action as his summer signing skidded into the Rangers technical area after making another key interception.

The pair will be reacquainted again soon enough. But the Rangers-bound defender did everything in his power to stop his future boss from picking up the Scottish Cup with a performance at Hampden which underlined exactly why the Dutchman wanted him in the first place.

Souttar was a colossus for Hearts and didn’t deserve to be on the losing team. He may have been making his first start for 11 weeks, but the Rangers-bound defender looked like he had never been away.

The 25-year-old hadn’t started a competitive match since the ankle injury he sustained against Dundee United at Tannadice on March 5.

If he was undercooked, it didn’t show. The composure on the ball was there. But it was the way he defended that really made him stand out.

Interceptions, clearances, blocks, Souttar batted away everything Rangers could throw at him for 90 minutes before making the breakthrough with a spectacular long-range Ryan Jack strike in extra time.

Time and time again Souttar was in the right place at the right time, his reading of the game and positional sense no doubt impressing and frustrating Van Bronckhorst in equal measure.

The Hearts fans who applauded him off at the end of what was his last game in a maroon jersey appreciated his efforts. Of course they are not happy that he is departing for Ibrox on a free transfer, but he could not have done any more in what was an awkward afternoon of mixed emotions.

Souttar certainly didn’t let Hearts down and bows out with personal pride intact as the best player wearing maroon on the pitch in a Hampden final.

Severe lack of match practice