Neilson hoping Souttar will stay

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson claims the Jambos have not yet given up hope of convincing John Souttar to sign a new deal and stay at the club beyond this summer.

Speculation has ramped up that the Scotland defender will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, with Rangers, Sheffield United, Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough all thought to be interested.

It has been suggested that Rangers could even be on the verge of sealing a pre-contract agreement and will then try to entice the 25-year-old former Dundee United player to Ibrox during this month’s transfer window.

However, Neilson is adamant that Hearts are still clinging to the possibility that Souttar could yet see his future with the Jambos.

And, if he is to leave, the Gorgie boss insists it would take a “crazy” offer to persuade Hearts to part now with the influential stopper, whom he believes could be crucial to the club sealing third in the Premiership.

He said: “We would love to keep John. We’re still hopeful he’ll make that decision to stay with us. Is he going to do it? I’m not sure. I know there have been a lot of suitors for him.

“There’s been a lot of teams watching him, as there has been for a number of our players.

“It’s just the nature of the beast. When a team does well, bigger teams will always come and take your players.

“But I don’t think John has signed anything anywhere. There’s been no contact from him to us.”

Neilson added: “We have to keep our best players in the team. If that means it’s at the end of the season they go, then it’s the end of the season when they go. Unless there’s a crazy bid comes in – but I don’t expect one to come in.”