Robbie Neilson says he's relieved Steve Clarke overlooked John Souttar for Scotland's September internationals.
Souttar is playing regular football again after spending almost two years on the sidelines with injury.
He's been a key part of Hearts' impressive start to the season and is slowly beginning to rediscover the form that thrust him into the Scotland setup back in 2018.
Many expected Souttar to return to the fold when Clarke named his squad to face Moldova, Austria and Denmark.
But there was some bemusement emanating from Tynecastle when Souttar was left out, while the likes of Declan Gallagher and Scott McKenna make the grade.
But Clarke was likely just being cautious with a player who is still recovering from a serious injury.
And Hearts boss Neilson reckons that was the right call from the Scotland gaffer.
He believed Souttar needs more football under his belt before he's ready for the gruelling international schedule.
Neilson said via the Edinburgh Evening News: "From my perspective, John just needs to play week in and week out. I think this international break is probably just a bit too soon for him to go and potentially play three games in a matter of days.
“He still has to prove his real game-readiness. I think possibly he could be involved in the next international squad if he continues the way he is going here.
"For us, I think he just needs to focus on Saturday to Saturday with Hearts.”
