Robbie Neilson details Hearts' talks with Rangers over John Souttar and why defender agreed with stance on transfer fee

Souttar was aware Hearts wanted £500,000 for a quick deal and Neilson said the player concurred with that valuation. Rangers made two bids but both came in at less than £400,000, leaving Souttar to join on a pre-contract this summer as planned.

The Scotland internationalist could feature against his new employers on Sunday when Hearts visit Ibrox. Neilson stressed it won’t be a big decision to play him, provided he recovers from an ankle injury in time.

“Not at all, to be honest with you. John is one of our best players and you want your best players to play. John knows the situation and he has dealt with it very well,” explained Neilson.

“For me there is not a conundrum at all. I think it’s getting built up with everyone else talking about it. We have a squad here and he’s one of our better players. If he is fit he plays. If he is not fit he won’t play. That’s it.

“Everyone else talks about this and that but John’s a top professional and a top player and I know when he goes out on the pitch he will give 100 per cent. So I don’t have any qualms about it at all.

“I’ve spoken to John almost every day for the last month about where he is and how he is feeling and about how his injuries are, about playing and about the situation. I spoke to him again this morning and everything is good.”

Neilson added that Souttar felt Hearts should get a fee that reflected his value if he was to move during January. “Yes, definitely. Right from the start when we knew this was happening we spoke to John and said: ‘This is what we are looking for.’

“John agreed with it but the fee never came. At the end of the day if the money doesn’t get paid then the player doesn’t go. He’s been great right the way through. He understands the situation.

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