United hit back at Hearts manager Levein

Dundee United have criticised Hearts boss Craig Levein for making “derogatory and misleading” claims that they nearly ruined John Souttar’s career.

Levein, a former United manager, said the Scotland international’s career went off the rails after being deployed as a full-back and in midfield during his time with the Tangerines.

United released a statement yesterday which read: “Dundee United are very disappointed to read the derogatory and misleading statement attributed to the manager of a fellow Scottish FA member club relating to ex-United player John Souttar.

“We are rightly proud of our long-standing and widely held reputation for developing young talent. John played toplevel football for four seasons having made his debut under Peter Houston at the age of 16 years and 100 days.

“John played 73 times in United’s first team and represented his country at all age groups up to and including under-21s. We are proud that one of our youth academy graduates has now progressed into the full Scottish national team and are delighted to have played a significant part in John’s development.”

Souttar made his debut as a 16-year-old in a 2-2 draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in 2013.

He moved to Hearts on 1 February 2016. The 21-year-old made his international debut earlier this month in the 4-0 defeat by Belgium.

Levein said on Monday: “People said he wasn’t tough enough to be a centre-half. John has always been a centre-half. I’m not being disrespectful but United nearly ruined his career.

“They played him at right-back, left-back and centre-midfield.”