John has many good years ahead of him, hopefully at Hearts
SAYS ALAN McLAREN
NOT so long ago, the prospect of Christophe Berra being removed from the Hearts line-up would have caused massed panic in the streets of Gorgie.
Without their captain, their on-field leader and dominant defender, who would step forward to steady that back line?
Certainly not that too-cleverby-half kid more intent on playing World Cup passes than putting in thundering tackles...
Well, alongside his elevation to the Scotland starting XI, the finest compliment being paid to John Souttar is that Hearts haven’t missed Berra.
Since the skipper limped off with a hamstring injury during the home win over Celtic, the Jambos have conceded just one goal. In four-and-a-half matches. And are sitting five points clear at the top of the Premiership.
Former Hearts and Scotland defender Alan McLaren, back at Tynecastle yesterday promoting a new Play the Game initiative intended to help kids recapture some of the street football skills of yesteryear, has been impressed with Souttar. Eventually.
‘I saw more of him last year and I would say his defending wasn’t as good as it should have been,’ admitted McLaren.
‘That will come. It has come. And he’s decent when it comes to distribution, as well as being a big enough unit — he’ll handle the physical side.
‘When you think he’s only 21, too, he has a lot of good years ahead of him. Hopefully, they’re here.
‘Christophe going down was a sore one. I have no idea what he’s looking at, maybe another eight to ten weeks.
‘But the boys who have come in have fitted into the system and everyone is working well together.
‘Craig Levein has a good grasp on things — and obviously thinks John’s one for the future.
‘Everyone is impressed at the moment, after five wins in the league. It wasn’t that in the Betfred Cup at the start! But that’s all been forgotten about. Three thousand fans at Fir Park tells you that. They’re back behind the team.
‘It is only five games. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. But if you don’t concede goals, you always have a chance.’
Hearts are level with Celtic in terms of league goals conceded so far this season, the pair leading the pack with just two against in five games.
Their position at the top of the table has some fans talking about a title challenge. But McLaren warned that the next couple of months will provide answers to some tough questions.
‘Wait until after Christmas, until they have played everyone,’ he said. ‘Then you can have a look and see if you’re going to be in amongst it.
‘Rangers and Celtic have European ties, so that will put added pressure on them.
‘But Hearts have to play Hibs and Aberdeen. If you are going to be anywhere near the top of the table, you need to beat these teams.’
Meanwhile, new Hearts midfielder Sean Clare is sure he has made the right call by joining the Gorgie club, despite his move raising eyebrows down south.
The 22-year-old, who knocked back a new contract with Sheffield Wednesday, admitted: ‘I can understand why some people have questioned the decision to come up here.
‘However, it is difficult to understand moves if you aren’t in my shoes. I’m sure if I had a conversation with people then they would understand it more. So I expected that reaction and it doesn’t faze me.’
Clare was interesting English Premier League clubs but Hearts were able to compete because, as was the case with Moussa Dembele’s move to Celtic, any club outwith England signing him would face a smaller compensation bill.
‘I don’t think my compensation was a lot, regardless of the club,’ said Clare. ‘With the clubs I did speak to in England, that was never a problem, so I don’t think that hindered anything.
‘It didn’t sway my decision. I came to Hearts because I felt the management staff really wanted to make me better.
‘I’ll come out of this a much better player than signing somewhere else and maybe not playing.’