Parkhead legend Craig Gordon has paid tribute to Hearts team-mate John Souttar amid reports suggesting that the Scotland international could join Celtic on a free transfer in 2022, speaking to the Edinburgh Live.
It was not a loss of form that caused Souttar to wait three years for a fourth international cap.
As the one-time Dundee United defender suffered a third long-term Achilles injury in as many years in the summer of 2020, he must have wondered whether the Jambos had built their Riccarton training complex on an ancient Indian burial ground.
Weaker men than him would have been tempted to pack it all in.
It’s a testament to Souttar’s rock-solid mentality, then, that he has come back better, stronger and more confident than ever before, marking his return to the international stage with a goal in Scotland’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Denmark earlier this month.
Souttar’s form at club level has been equally impressive.
So much so that, according to The Sun, Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic have joined Old Firm rivals Rangers in pursuit of his signature.
It is believed that a whole host of clubs from south of the border, including a Stoke City side who already have Souttar’s younger brother in their ranks, are also interested.
Will John Souttar leave Hearts for Celtic or Rangers?
“I don’t exactly know what the situation is, what the options are, what is on the table,” said Hearts and Scotland team-mate Gordon, who also endured his fair share of injury issues before making up for lost time at Celtic.
“He will make a decision for what is right for him. I know he’s done tremendously well to get back from the injuries he’s had.
“The character he’s shown to perform so quickly at such a high level… it took him no time at all to get back in and start producing the performances and possibly even better than what he was before.
“That’s a huge achievement in itself.
“I have nothing but admiration for what he’s done and I’m sure he’ll make the right decision for him.”
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson has admitted that the club may be powerless to prevent Souttar’s departure with just seven months left on his contract – although it will take a ‘huge bid’ to prise the 25-year-old away from Tynecastle during the January transfer window.
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