Hearts manager Craig Levein walked out of a press conference when he was asked about Rangers reported interest in John Souttar.
The Jambos boss clearly took umbrage with the question, even hissing back, “I’m not sure John would go there, to be honest. No, I don’t think so,”. We reported on that earlier.
But the speculation clearly has Levein ruffled. Anyone who’s confident of keeping a player doesn’t get up and leave when asked about their future.
It’s not the first comment Levein has made on the situation either. The Hearts boss described Souttar as “the best centre-back in Scotland” [originally Football Scotland].
With walking out of the press conference and making these comments, Levein is making a play to keep the player. Or at least suggest Rangers will need to pay for him.
Rangers were linked to Souttar by the Daily Record in early April. Fans largely received the news well. The Evening Times also claims it will cost Rangers £2m to take Souttar to Ibrox.
Souttar himself spoke out on the interest prior to Hearts’ 3-0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup. He claimed he knows nothing of the interest [originally Sunday Post]. And little else to be honest.
But the truth is Souttar will cost Rangers money should the club move. Souttar signed a contract extension in January that ties the 22-year-old to the Tynecastle club until 2022.
Should Rangers move, Souttar could be the answer to the club’s impending defensive dilemma.
