Fraser Wishart, who represents Scotlands professional football players, thinks John Souttar moving to Rangers should be regarded in the same way as a plumber changing jobs.
Sorry, Fraser. Not buying that line.
14,000 people don’t buy season tickets to watch a plumber strutting his stuff.
If one is looking for a non-sporting analogy, Souttar’s move is like the star of a successful West End Musical announcing he is leaving, half way through a successful run and whilst his contract is still legally binding, to become the star of another West End Musical in a larger theatre, further West on Shaftesbury Avenue.
No theatre would allow a star to walk away from his contract in this way – and Hearts are not going to let Souttar walk away either.
John Souttar is a good guy and everyone understands that his injury issues mean he has an urgent desire to secure his long-term financial future.
However, John must honour his contract until the end of this season – or the other “theatre” can pay Hearts compensation.
Otherwise, the correct plumbing analogy will be that Souttar’s career could be about to go down the Waste Pipe.
Rangers are “flush” with Paterson’s transfer fee: they will simply need to pipe 5% of that money to Hearts…problem solved.
Post script
Craig Levein has told the media that family health issues stop Souttar leaving Scotland.
I have news for Craig.
Blackburn, who wanted Souttar, could have transported him back to Glasgow by car in three hours.
Where’s the problem?
Also, if there are major family health issues, how could JS disappear to the World Cup for four or more weeks?
Finally, if he really needed to stay in Scotland, why not take the generous deal for a one year renewal at Hearts?
Had he done so, Souttar could have left the following season, with health AND World Cup reasons behind him.
So good try, Craig – but we are not buying the story as the reason JS had to sign for Rangers.
Scottish Football Matters 