Former Derby County manager Steve McClaren wanted Hearts defender John Souttar at Pride Park – and it appears that Gary Rowett agrees.
There could be another Scot joining Craig Forsyth and Johnny Russell at Derby County in the January transfer window.
Because according to the Daily Star (29th December, page 48), the in-form Rams are looking to lure Hearts defender John Souttar to Pride Park in the New Year.
It is understood that Derby have been tracking Souttar for some time and will now aim to test Hearts’ resolve with a bid of around £1 million. Whether or not that is enough to tempt the Edinburgh side into a sale with the 21-year-old under contract until 2020 remains to be seen.
6ft 1ins Souttar, who was Dundee United’s youngest ever player before joining Hearts in the winter of 2016, is one of the most highly-rated young defenders in Scottish football right now.
He has impressed in 17 league starts for Hearts in 2017/18 but has shown in the past that he is more than just a centre-half, filling in at right-back or even starting in a defensive midfield role when required.
It is not difficult to see why Derby would be interested, then. Only league leaders Wolves have a better defensive record this season than Rowett’s fourth-placed side so the addition of Souttar would only aid their push for promotion in the New Year.
This is not the first time Souttar has been linked with Derby. Back in December 2016, former Rams boss Steve McClaren admitted to the Scottish Sun that he was eyeing four Hearts players with Souttar among them.
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