Defensive duo are in Scots picture
CHRISTOPHE BERRA could be forgiven for filing Alex McLeish’s presence at Tynecastle Park on Tuesday evening under ‘Sod’s Law’.
The 33-year-old has been in sparkling form for Hearts since returning to the club where he made his name from Ipswich Town last summer, immediately reclaiming the armband, excelling in a miserly backline and bringing on the precocious John Souttar leaps and bounds.
Costly mistakes have been almost non-existent from a player who has a real claim to the crown of the best signing in Scottish football this season.
So, needless to say, he made one in front of the new Scotland boss as Hearts drew 1-1 with Kilmarnock.
Amid a blizzard in Gorgie — an early salvo from Storm Emma before she went on to cripple the country later in the week — Berra misjudged a hopeful long ball, normally food and drink to the towering defender, and allowed Eamonn Brophy to steal in and poke the opening goal beyond Jon McLaughlin.
One suspects Berra has enough goodwill in the bank from 41 caps and an otherwise superb campaign for McLeish to let that error pass.
He certainly hopes so because, as the baton passes from Gordon Strachan to McLeish, the 33-year-old is as hungry as ever to take his place in the heart of defence and embark on the road to Euro 2020.
‘I’ve enjoyed my period playing for Scotland and over the piece I feel like I’ve never let anyone down,’ said Berra. ‘I’ve played every game this season at Hearts, our defensive record is second-best in the league and I’ve played a lot for Scotland. ‘I had a good run for Scotland under Craig Levein, dipped out under Gordon Strachan but then came back into it and was involved in a lot of big games. We were so close to the play-offs and this is a new campaign now and a new hope. I’ll keep playing for Hearts and, hopefully, do well enough to be in the picture for the national side. However, I know it’s not down to me, if the manager wants to go a different way, then that is of course up to him.” In a week which saw Celtic captain Scott Brown quit international football to focus on his club commitments, Berra is adamant that did not give him pause for thought. For
the moment, it is a balancing act he can handle.
‘I’m not thinking about stepping back from that at the moment,’ Berra continued. ‘There might come a time when that comes, but I’ve not thought about that. I’ll just wait and see how the next couple of months go and hopefully I stay fit and playing well for Hearts.’
Competition for Berra’s berth in the Scotland set-up could come from exceedingly close to home, with McLeish having already confirmed that Souttar (left) is among the young talents on his radar as he seeks to assemble his maiden squad for contentious summer friendlies against Peru and Mexico.
Souttar’s development has been marked this term. The classy touch, passing range and comfort in striding out of defence remain evident, however his penchant for a foolish error has diminished, he is far more dominant in the air and a physically imposing figure.
Hearts boss Craig Levein recently suggested he was the best defender in Scotland.
With Berra around, it is arguable whether he is actually the best defender at Hearts. Nevertheless, Souttar is showing signs of reaching his undoubted potential.
Berra has no doubt that will lead to international honours in the fullness of time but, displaying the voice of experience, is adamant there is no rush.
He is also quick to point out that the pool of centre-halves, north and south of the border, is not as shallow as some might suggest.
‘John is definitely one who — even if it isn’t now — will play for Scotland in time,’ added Berra. ‘John has had a lot of good press and he is a good player and a good guy. He wants to learn and has good attitude and ability.’