Huge blow as Hearts star John Souttar suffers relapse of Achilles injury

The defender was recovering following the injury in February

Hearts ace John Souttar has suffered Achilles relapse. Picture: SNS

Hearts star John Souttar has suffered a relapse of an Achilles injury during recovery.

The centre-back has been out of action since February when he ruptured his Achilles in the 1-0 Scottish Cup win over Rangers.

It is the latest injury setback for the 23-year-old who had already missed a large chunk of last season due to ankle surgery.

Souttar suffered a rupture Achilles against Rangers earlier this year. Picture: SNS

The extent of the injury, understood to have happened when running, won’t be known for a couple of days with the player going for a scan to determine how bad it is.

The Scotland international, one of the most promising defenders in the country, has had to contend with a litany of issues since moving to Hearts from Dundee United in 2016.

Souttar suffered an Achilles tendon rupture back in January 2017 against Celtic before picking up a hip injury on international duty which kept him out for 14 games during the 2018/19 season. Then at the start of last campaign he suffered an ankle knock which required surgery, keeping him out for 23 games.

Earlier this month the player spoke about the ruptured Achilles against Rangers, the impact it had on him and the subsequent recovery.

He told MailSport: “I started the Rangers game well. I felt good, for the first time in ages, and sharp.Then at a throw-in I stepped back and it went bang. I’d never had pain in that Achilles before.

“I hit the deck and thought: ‘That’s me.’ I actually thought I was finished. I remember being stretchered off and in the physio room with Craig [Maitland].

“I just looked at him and said: ‘That’s me, I’m done’. He said: ‘Hey relax, take your time.’ But I honestly wasn’t sure.”