Craig Levein hailed John Souttar as “the best centre back in Scotland” after the turned in a highly impressive display to help Hearts book their place in the Scottish Cup final.
The 22-year-old volleyed home Hearts’ second goal in their 3-0 semi-final victory over Inverness at Hampden, and was generally dominant at the other end as Levein’s team shut the Highlanders out.
Souttar has returned to peak form since recovering from a hip injury suffered whilst on international duty, and for Levein , there’s no-one as good in the same position throughout the Scottish Premiership.
“I’ve known him since he was 12 years old and he’s just got better and better,” said the Hearts boss. “When he came here from Dundee Utd, we just needed to give him time.
“He’s grown in to the player that I hoped he would be and for me he’s the best centre back in Scotland. For sure.
“Just for the fact that he can do wonderful things. His passing of the ball Saturday was fantastic, but he is also now capable physically of competing with any centre forward. His pace is very, very good and he’s strong, focused and aggressive.
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“He put on an imperious performance at the weekend.”
Press reports had credited Rangers with an interest in signing Souttar this summer.
However, even leaving aside the fact that the Scotland international recently signed a new contract, Levein was quick to dismiss the notion of his centre back potentially leaving got Ibrox ahead of the two sides meeting at Tynecastle on Saturday.
He added: “There was a story in the paper two weeks ago that I was going to Spain, and I put those two in the same place...”
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