Hearts sweat over Achilles injury to centre-back John Souttar

Defender stretched off during Scottish Cup clash with Rangers

Hearts are sweating over the long-term fitness of John Souttar after the centre-back was stretchered off during the club's clash with Rangers.

It has been reported that the Scottish international has injured his Achilles, though the extent of the damage is not yet known.

The 23-year-old hit the deck 16 minutes into the encounter as he jostled for position against Greg Stewart.

John Souttar in pain on the turf after suffering an injury. Picture: SNS

It was immediate obvious Souttar was in severe pain and he soon left the field on a stretcher, to be replaced by Clevid Dikamona.

Souttar previously missed five months earlier in his Hearts career after suffering a ruptured Achilles in a match at Celtic Park, though this latest problem is on his other leg.

He was also absent from a significant chunk of last season with a hip issue and missed the majority of the first half of this campaign with an ankle injury.