Hearts and Robbie Neilson both more secure with John Souttar fit again

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson explained today that John Souttar’s return from injury has brought extra security to both him and the team.

The defender has played the last two games – helping record clean sheets in the process – after recovering from more than a year out with Achilles injuries.

His addition to the back line helped others relax as Hearts beat Alloa Athletic 6-0 and drew 0-0 with Morton. Souttar will play the final two games of the campaign and then continue as a key player when his club return to the Premiership next season.

“I'm more secure as well. When you get somebody like John Souttar back, it brings a calmness and a security,” Neilson told the Evening News. “There were a couple of moments on Tuesday night when Morton but balls in behind us and John showed good recovery pace to get there first.

John Souttar is back fit for Hearts after more than a year out.

“There's no doubt it helps us just having that solidity there. John was a massive loss for us at the start of the season. When I came back in here, we wanted him fit for the start of the season and he would have been one of the main players for us.

“His injury recurring made it difficult and we had to go and recruit in that area again. We missed his quality so to have him back is great. We just need to keep him as fit as possible between now and the end of the season. Then he can get a good pre-season under his belt.”

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