‘Big lump’ Souttar has his sights set on a swift return in Dark Blue
He has earned a reputation as a cultured, ball-playing centre-half.
So when John Souttar was branded a “big lump” by Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke, he could easily have taken offence.
The Hearts star is more likely to break opposition ankles with trickery than a scything challenge, after all.
But put it to the 22-year-old that Clarke did him a disservice with his description and his response is laced with humour rather than rancour.
“I’d have bitten your hand off for that when I was younger, being called that,” laughs Souttar.
“It was a bit of a back- handed compliment really, so no offence was taken.”
The 2-1 victory over Killie that fit-again Souttar’s presence helped Hearts secure must help on that front.
Going two subsequent games without defeat can’t hurt either.
But after a four-month recovery from a hip injury sustained on Scotland duty, it turns out simply playing football, while a pleasure, is not without its aches and pains. “I’ve been feeling good,” says Souttar. “I was a wee bit sore after the game last Sunday, but it was three games in a week, so that was going to be the case.
“But I am feeling good now. I’ve been right back into it and it’s been feeling good to be training every day.
“It feels absolutely perfect.” Souttar’s youth is easy to forget given the length of his tenure at Premiership level.
But his shortness in the tooth is matched by an unfortunately lengthy injury record.
To his credit, his spirits are undimmed by his familiarity with the treatment table.
Part of the credit, he says, has to go to
his manager, Craig Levein, who endured a similarly rough time with injuries as a player.
“I think the manager understands, especially with my Achilles, I think that was similar to his knee,” reflects Souttar. “This hip one was just a clean-up job. “With the Achilles he said: ‘Make sure you take your time and come back right. Don’t do anything silly or take risks coming back.’ He was supportive.”
Hearts’ sports scientist Mikey Williams and physio Craig Maitland were also key figures during the intensive winter shutdown days of Souttar’s recovery.
He is reaping the benefitsof that – and has targets for both club and country between now and the end of the season.
“I’d be delighted if I could get back involved in the national team,” he says.
“The next game isn’t until the end of March, so there’s a lot of game- time for Hearts until then. I’m sure if I keep doing what I’m doing for Hearts, well, we’ll see what happens.
“Peter Grant, the gaffer ( Alex Mcleish, below) and James Mcfadden all texted and phoned me when I got injured.
“They were really supportive and that meant a lot.
“I think there’s a good opportunity for Scotland to qualify for a finals now, and it’s a really young squad as well.
“There’s experience there, but it’s the youngest squad we’ve had for a while. It feels like there’s a lot of good players coming through, which can only be good for Scottish football in general.
“Me and Scott Mckenna were in quite young and a lot of boys from that team are coming through now, so we all know each other, which is a good thing as well. “We have spent a lot of time together on trips, which helps. It can only be good for the squad as a whole.”
On Hearts, Souttar is no less confident – and no less demanding.
“The European place is what we said from the start of the season, we need to get into Europe,” he insists.
“T h a t’s t h e ma i n aim and, obviously, the semi- final of the League Cup was disappointing but a lot of boys were injured.
“With the Scottish Cup, we’ll just see what happens, the quarter- final is at the start of March.
“There aren’t many targets set, but obviously we want to be in finals and stuff like that, so that would be ideal but the European place is our first priority.”