Conor: We’ll reach final for crocked pal Souttar

BY CRAIG SWAN

CONOR WASHINGTON insists Hearts are desperate to reach the Scottish Cup Final and save their topflight skins for stricken John Souttar.

The Tynecastle troops had a cloud put over their fabulous weekend triumph over Rangers by the seasonending injury to their shattered centre-back.

Souttar, who had already missed five months of the campaign with a long-term ankle knock, faces the rest of the term out after suffering an Achilles injury in the 1-0 quarter-final win.

Washington and his colleagues are determined to do the business for the 23-year-old as the striker said: “It’s a terrible blow for us, it really is.

“I knew how great a player John was even before I signed for Hearts. Then he came back from a long time out and played five or six games and he was magnificent every match.

“Coming back from injury myself I realise how difficult it is for players to do that. Now he has another bout of rehab and we wish him all the best.

“We don’t need any additional motivation for the rest of the season but it would be nice to get him a trip to Hampden for a final and make sure he is still a Premiership player next season.

“It made it a bittersweet night for us. As players we dedicate that win over Rangers to John. He will be in the training ground every day doing his rehab and it’s our job to try and keep his spirits up.”

Washington also praised Clevid Dikamona who replaced Souttar.

He said: “Clevid did well, he was magnificent.”