Levein: Souttar can fill hole left by Berra

CRAIG Levein has backed John Souttar to fill the major breach left at Hearts after it emerged skipper Christophe Berra will be out for six months with a hamstring injury.

The 33-year-old crashed to the turf in agony just before halftime in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Celtic and had to be carried off on a stretcher.

The Scotland cap (inset) underwent scans on Monday and the tests revealed major damage to his hamstring.

The former Wolves and Ipswich Town stopper is expected to require surgery before embarking on a lengthy rehabilitation period that is unlikely to see him play again until February.

Souttar took over the captaincy against Celtic after Berra’s withdrawal and steered the Tynecastle men to a win that leaves them top of the Premiership with a 100 per cent record.

The 21-year-old’s impressive form has not gone unnoticed by Scotland manager Alex McLeish, who revealed this week the former Dundee United player is ‘on the radar’ for the double-header against Belgium and Albania next month.

And Levein has praised the youngster whilst expressing his disappointment at Berra’s prognosis.

The Jambos boss said: “I’m gutted for Christophe. He’s really never been injured before and has played a number of years at the highest level, so it’s really bad luck.

“Christophe is a real leader for us and the one area where we’re a wee bit light is that area.

“The plus side is the way John Souttar took the captain’s armband and led by example right throughout the second-half.”