SOUTTAR: KEY SCOTLAND GOAL WAS FOR MY BROTHER HARRY

REPORTED Stoke City transfer target John Souttar paid a moving tribute to his injury-stricken brother Harry. The 25-year-old marked his return to the international stage with his first goal for Scotland on Monday evening, as the Tartan Army stunned Denmark in their final World Cup qualifying group encounter.

The Hearts defender opened the scoring at Hampden Park, before Southampton’s Che Adams rubber-stamped an outstanding victory over the Euro 2020 semi-finalists three minutes’ from time. Speaking following the full-time whistle, John, who has suffered serious injury problems of his own, dedicated his maiden goal for his country to his younger sibling after he sustained a serious knee injury whilst in action for Australia at the weekend.

“It’s absolutely incredible, for me to be involved in a game like that - I truly can’t put it in to words,” the sought-after central defender told Sky Sports.

“I have gone through a hell of a lot over the last year or so, and I couldn’t wish for anything more than this, it is just brilliant you know. “The goal was a blur for me really, but it has made the whole journey I have been on over the past year or so worthwhile.

“This makes the whole rehab worth it, and I just have to dedicate this to my brother Harry, who is at home tonight watching this.

“He couldn’t make it tonight, but this was for him tonight. He helped me enormously with my rehab, and I know he will be watching and listening to this, so this is for him.” According to media reports online, John Souttar is rumoured to be high on Michael O’neill’s January transfer list as he looks to bolster his defensive options following Harry Souttar’s season-ending injury picked up while on duty with Australia in their World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia last week.

The likes of Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United have all been credited with an interest in the powerful defender, although it is the Potters who are reportedly at the front of the queue for his signature. He has netted three times in 15 appearances for Hearts this campaign, and has thus far spurned the club’s advances of negotiating an extended contract at Tynecastle, with his existing deal set to end in the summer.