REAL DAMAGE
Souttar was ‘nearly ruined’ by United, claims Levein
CRAIG LEVEIN last night accused Dundee United of nearly destroying John Souttar’s career by mismanaging his emergence at Tannadice.
The 21-year-old is the captain of Levein’s Hearts team, which has a five-point lead at the top of the Premiership after a 100-per-cent start to the league season.
Earlier this month, his fine form was rewarded with a Scotland debut against Belgium and he followed that up with an impressive performance against Albania in a 2-0 Nations League win.
A former Dundee United boss, Levein first worked with Souttar at Tannadice when the youngster was just 12 and helped him rebuild his career at Tynecastle after signing him in February 2016.
But he feared Souttar could have been lost to the game after his career stalled on Tayside amid damaging claims he was ‘too soft’ to be a defender.
‘I’m not being disrespectful but they
(Dundee United) nearly ruined John Souttar’s career,’ said Levein. ‘John has always been a centre-half. But he was played at right-back, left-back, centre midfield. ‘It’s quite confusing for a young player when you are being moved into three or four different places and no one has got your back and is giving you the support you need. ‘I’m talking disparagingly but United sold all their best players and John was left behind and he became an easy target. ‘A lot of people in Scottish football formed an opinion of John three years ago — and that came from Dundee United. ‘It says everything about John that he has taken himself from that position where people thought he was one thing to moving up to someone who will be a mainstay for the Scotland national team.’ Meanwhile, winger Callumn Morrison last night pledged his future to Hearts until 2021. The 19-year-old was rewarded for his impressive displays for Levein’s early-season table toppers by being handed a new three-year contract. ‘I’m delighted to sign a new deal with Hearts,’ he told heartsfc.co.uk. ‘The manager has shown a lot of faith in me this season and I’d like to thank him and my team-mates, too. ‘I’ve really enjoyed my football this season and it’s been great to be part of a team that has started the season so well. ‘It’s an incredible feeling to pull on the maroon jersey and I can’t wait to do it many more times and, hopefully, give the fans even more reasons to cheer.’