Souttar ismain manfor Jambos
JOHN SOUTTAR would love to walk out at the newlook Tynecastle on the day they cut the ribbon on their £12million main stand.
The Hearts defender is ahead of schedule on his comeback from a ruptured achilles that forced him to write off the second half of last season.
Souttar, 20, revealed he is being guided by director of football Craig Levein, who saw his own career under threat at the same stage with a horror knee injury.
The ex-Dundee United starlet was a virtual everpresent for Hearts after signing last February but has been left on the outside looking in since he was carried off on a stretcher towards the end of a 4-0 defeat at Celtic in January.
He said: “Initially the surgeon reckoned I would be back in October but the date is being brought further forward because of how well the rehab is going.
“Hopefully I will return for the opening of the new main stand. That would be a realistic target.
“They key is not to push it. Craig had bad injuries when he was my age so he’s always telling me to take my time and recover well.
“If I rush back and it’s not right it will only be to my detriment in future.
“I will not cut corners and do everything possible to make sure the Achilles is fine for when I return.”
Souttar was speaking in Glasgow yesterday as he teamed up with former Tannadice pal Jordan Moore and Phil O’Donnell’s daughter Megan to promote the Teenage Cancer Trust and Cardiac Risk in the Young.
Next week 15 friends and family and old team-mates of Phil and Jordan will walk the West Highland Way and then climb Ben Nevis to raise funds and will also host a charity ball at the Glasgow Hilton DoubleTree on November 11.