Championship club Derby County were keen to lure John Souttar to Pride Park in January from Scottish Premiership side Hearts.
Shoddy defending cost Derby County dear against Leeds United on Wednesday night.
Only a last-gasp Kasey Palmer equaliser snatched a point for the Rams in a 2-2 home draw with the experienced Richard Keogh caught out badly for Leeds’ first goal, netted by Pierre-Michel Lasogga ten minutes before the break.
Central defensive partner Curtis Davies has endured a couple of nervy moments himself of late in a run of one win in six, which has badly bruised Derby’s hopes of automatic promotion.
It will not help to learn that the highly-rated centre-back they tried and failed to sign in January has now been hailed as the best in his league.
Almost two months on, Hearts boss Craig Levein reckons there is no one better in Scotland’s top flight.
Top, top player
“If there is a better centre-back in the league right now, I would be surprised. John is at the top of his game,” Levein, whose Hearts side have conceded just one goal in their last three games, told the Daily Record.
“We all know he can pass, play and break out of defence, but his heading and general awareness of dangerous situations has improved immeasurably. I think he is a top, top player.”
21-year-old Souttar has always been highly regarded, and was once Dundee United’s youngest ever player, but has taken his game to a new level alongside experienced Scotland international Christophe Berra this season.
Sadly for Derby, they would probably have to pay more than £1 million to get their man now.
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