Souttar tipped for international call

Former Dundee United defender John Souttar has been tipped for a Scotland call-up sooner rather than later by his Hearts team-mate Igor Rossi.

Souttar has been an everpresent for Hearts in the Premiership this season, keeping former captain Alim Ozturk out of the team.

The Scotland Under-21 international re-established himself in his favoured position at Tynecastle after playing in midfield and rightback for United and Rossi feels his extra training will help him succeed.

Rossi said: “Souttar is a good guy and a good defender. He’s still a young boy but every day after training he says to me: ‘Come on, let’s go for more training.’

“That is important because he is a young boy and he feels he needs more training. I like this because doing more is important.

“I think he can play for Scotland, of course.

“I look at other centre-backs in Scotland and I think he is the best – number one or number two or three.

“He is young but with more experience he will be very good.”

The pair are looking to tighten up today when Hearts host St Johnstone after conceding five goals in two matches.

“This game is very important because we have the same points as St Johnstone,” Rossi said.

“It’s very important to keep a clean sheet.”

John Souttar: extra training paying off for defender.