The arduous task of replacing John Souttar in Hearts' defence

The Dundee United youth academy graduate developed into an international centre-back with Hearts and, at 25, will continue his career at Ibrox. Some fans there consider him an upgrade on the potentially-outgoing Connor Goldson, the lure of trophies and possible Champions League nights doubtless influencing the decision.

The problem for Hearts is how to replace him. Souttar’s exit creates a sizeable central-defensive void with no obvious candidate to slot in. Manager Robbie Neilson and sporting director Joe Savage have a list of prospective replacements who they feel might handle the daunting task of filling that No.4 shirt.

Souttar cost the Edinburgh club just £120,000 when he arrived from United as a teenager in February 2016. Back then, Neilson was in his first spell as Hearts manager and knew exactly what he was buying – potential.

The fact that promise was fully realised despite three ruptured Achilles tendons during the ensuing six and a bit years says much about Souttar’s resilience, mentality and strength of character. Those attributes allied to his physical and technical ones attracted Rangers and umpteen other suitors.

Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United led a series of English clubs who tried to tempt the player south once he entered the final six months of his Hearts contract. The interest became so extensive that Souttar and his representatives had to whittle down the list and select who they would open talks with.

After chats with officials from Ewood Park and Bramall Lane, he chose to stay in Scotland with Rangers. His final appearance in maroon was Saturday’s Scottish Cup final against his new employers and he delivered the kind of performance which makes his absence all the more vexing for Hearts.

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