Neilson has no fears over Souttar playing against Rangers in final
John Souttar is still expected to play in the Scottish Cup final despite the fact that Hearts have been pitted against Rangers in the Hampden finale.
The 25-year-old, who has signed a pre-contract with the Ibrox outfit, is battling back to fitness after he was forced off against Dundee United in early-march with an ankle injury. It had been hoped that he would be back in time for the May 21 showcase but doubt was cast after his future employers defeated Celtic in the second semi-final.
It now means that the Scotland centre-back could line up against Rangers in his final two matches in maroon, with the last league game of the campaign at home to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team on May 14, and the cup meeting a week later.
“John will start running early next week so he will be available for the final which is good news,” revealed Hearts boss Robbie Neilson. “The plan was always to try to get him back for the final couple of games of the season.
“Johnhasbigscotlandgames in the summer and he wants to be part of them, as does Craig Halkett and Stephen Kingsley and Barrie Mckay so they need to make sure they play well in these games and in the final to get in that squad.”
And Neilson says he would have no qualms about pitching the star defender into the mix.
“No, to be honest, we will pick the best team. We are hoping to have John back for, potentially, the Celtic game [May 7], but definitely Motherwell [May 11], which will give him a run-in to the Rangers game and then the final, and the best players and the best team will play.”
With the World Cup playoff looming and Souttar desperate to force his way back into the squad for the matches against Ukraine and then hopefully Wales, Neilson is expecting the best from him.
Michael Smith could feature even earlier, having returned to full training but, after picking up knocks last weekend, both Kingsley and Andy Halliday will be assessed ahead of Sunday’s trip to Tannadice. Halkett saw another specialist yesterday in his quest to make the final after picking up an ankle injury last weekend.
Former Hibs manager Shaun Maloney has received backing from an unexpected source, after capital derby rival Robbie Neilson expressed surprise and disappointment at the brevity of his counterpart’s Easter Road tenure.
It was arguably Neilson’s side who sealed Maloney’s fate with back-to-back derby victories denying the Leith outfit a place in the top six, and a shot at European qualification, as well as progress into the Scottish Cup final.
But despite bringing Hibs’ season to a miserable halt, Neilson was taken aback by the news the board had opted to sack their manager just four months after his appointment.
“To be honest, I was surprised and, on a personal note, I was disappointed for Shaun because I know him pretty well,” said Neilson.
“I spoke to him a few times when I was Dundee United manager and I think he is a really good coach. But it is the nature of the beast now. It’s just the way it is.
“He got very limited time to do anything, but the chairman makes a decision and you just have to take it on the chin.
“I’m sure he’ll come back stronger. I was the same at MK Dons when I got let go. It can hurt for a while, but it definitely makes you a better coach.”
While Maloney was ousted so soon into his three-anda-half-year contract, Hearts are reaping the rewards of sticking by Neilson, even after last season’s ignominious cup defeat by Brora Rangers.
Back in the Premiership, they have earned a thirdplace finish and are guaranteed European football into December. And, they could yet wrap up a wonderful season by lifting silverware next month.
“Football is about two sides,” he continued. “It’s about long-term planning and having to win on a Saturday. If there’s a balance, it’s my job is to win on Saturday, but the people above me, their job is to look at the long-term structure as well.
“When that long-term becomes short-term, it becomes difficult. It’s a longer-term plan here. Even the qualification for Europe isn’t just: ‘That’s us we’ve done it’. It is: ‘What can we do in three years’ time? Five years’ time?’ And we try to grow the club.
“It takes time, but you don’t get time and that’s the disappointing thing about football.
“There are going to be ups and downs and that’s just the way it is. You are hoping you have that stability.”
Seeking to maintain winning momentum and stability within the squad, Neilson says he would love to keep loanees Ellis Simms, Alex Cochrane and Ben Woodburn but is at the mercy of parent clubs Everton, Brighton and Liverpool.
“We have spoken about it in general but, with loan deals, especially from England, it tends to be July, even August before we get them, so we need to look at other targets and decide ‘do we wait for that one, or go for this one?’.
“We’d like to welcome them back towards the end of June. I’d like them all here, but, realistically, they won’t be. The European games are in the middle of August, so we do have a bit of time to get them in but their parent clubs could put them somewhere else.
“It’s totally outwith our hands. That’s the difficulty of it.”