SCOTLAND RETURN IS BONUS FOR DEFENDER

JOHN SOUTTAR has expressed his delight at earning a place in the Scotland squad for next week’s World Cup play-off with Ukraine — just days after recovering from injury in time to play in the Scottish Cup final. The 25-year-old centre-back’s season looked like it might be over when he suffered an ankle injury playing for Hearts at the start of March.

However, Souttar battled back and got himself back into the team as a late substitute in the final league game of the season at home to Rangers before producing a strong display in Saturday’s final defeat by the Ibrox side, whom he has already agreed to join next season. Having proven his fitness, Souttar has been recalled to the Scotland fold for next month’s World Cup play-offs and Nations League games. ‘Obviously, the (cup final) result was disappointing but, for myself, it was good timing to allow me to get back in the Scotland squad,’ he said. ‘The important thing when I got injured was getting back for the final and getting back for the Scotland camp. ‘I did everything I could to be here and, thankfully, I’ve made it. ‘It’s brilliant to be back in with the boys and I’m looking forward to the games.’

Souttar’s recall after injury was one of the most notable aspects of a 28-man squad which features no new faces.

The defender believes the sense of continuity within the group is good in terms of maintaining momentum, with Scotland currently on an eight-game unbeaten run. ‘There is quality throughout the squad but there are good people as well,’ said Souttar. ‘People have been here consistently, we’ve named a similar squad and you saw the quality from the last games.

‘We’ve just got to keep it going.

‘Everyone is enjoying themselves, everyone enjoys being in the camp.

You can feel it within the boys, within the group and within the country that there’s something building here. ‘It’s just about taking it into the next few games.’

Souttar has not played for Scotland since scoring his first international goal in the 2-0 win over Denmark in November. He is relishing being back in the mix as the national team bid to see off Ukraine next Wednesday before potentially facing Wales away in the final a few days later.

‘It was a good moment to score against Denmark and see the boys perform how we did,’ he said. ‘It wasn’t just the win. It was how we performed and how we settled and how well we did as a team.

‘I thought we were excellent. That’s what you want to be involved in when you play for Scotland, games like that. The atmosphere was incredible. If I can be involved in any capacity against Ukraine, that would be brilliant.’