Hearts ace John Souttar sets return target as he provides up date on injury

The centre-back ruptured his Achilles in February

Hearts star John Souttar is aiming to be back in action by September.

The centre-back has endured a horrendous 2019/2020 season which was summed up by the rupture of his Achilles early in Hearts’ Scottish Cup win over Rangers in February.

Souttar had already missed a large chunk of the season following an ankle injury in the first league game of the season against Aberdeen. Due to issues with the area the player required surgery which saw him miss 23 matches.

John Souttar is currently on the mend from an Achilles injury. Picture: SNS

The injury sustained in Rangers was innocuous but was the second time he had ruptured his Achilles, only this time it was on the other foot.

His first came Celtic Park in January 2017 so the player knew what to expect.

Souttar told the official Hearts website: “I knew the process I was going to have to go through but those small hurdles are the best ones to overcome, when you make yourself small goals and you achieve them it’s a good feeling. It gives you a wee boost.

“The week before my operation it was extremely difficult to accept what had happened because of the last year, really. I’d worked so hard to come back from my last ankle injury. I wasn’t 100% when I was playing but I was definitely getting back into the swing of things. Then for that to happen, a freak injury…I didn’t feel anything before the game - nothing in my Achilles whereas the first time I felt slight pain before it happened – but I just stood back and it snapped.

Souttar suffered the injury in February against Rangers. Picture: SNS

“The first week was difficult to get my head around it but as soon as I got the operation it was better. I had something to focus on; recovery, getting the cast off, etc. Just taking each day as it comes.”

The 23-year-old has had to build up his calf again following the operation and having to wear a cast then a boot.

But progress has been positive with Souttar continuing his rehab at home where he has put together a gym which has seen him on the bike and doing gym work.

He has now set targets for himself as he eyes a September return.

“The next milestone will probably be doing ten single calf raises before I can start running,” he said. I can’t do one just now. So that’s a wee while away but it’s only been six weeks since my operation.

“Usually they say six months from operation to full fitness so I’ve still go a long time to go. It’ll probably be around another month until I’m running.

“I’m aiming to be back for September. That’s about the same as my last injury. I’m actually feeling pretty good about it.”

Read the full Q&A on the Hearts website.