Barry Ferguson has backed Rangers target John Souttar to earn himself a big move and play at a higher level in the future.
Souttar, who joined Hearts from Dundee United in the summer of 2016, has impressed as an integral first team member for the Jambos under Craig Levein so far this term.
As such, the 22-year-old has popped up on the radar of Rangers, who are keen on strengthening their squad in the summer to try and usurp Celtic in the upcoming season.
And in the wake of the rumours circling around Souttar’s future, Ferguson has backed the defender to play at a higher level for both club and country in the future.
The Gers legend admitted he has been impressed by Souttar’s development this season and stressed the youngster has the requisite skillset to play for Scotland and a bigger club in the years to come.
“I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure of him last season”, Rangers legend Ferguson said on the PLZ Soccer show.
“I think this season he has got better, physically he looks a lot stronger.
"In the games I’ve seen, he has certainly impressed and he’s going in the right direction.
“I think he can be the next one to push to get into that Scotland team or get a bigger move because I think he’s got everything [needed for that].
“He’s a ball playing centre-back and he’s also got that added bit where he is playing with [Christophe] Berra, who is experienced, who has helped him along and he is learning the hard side of the game.
“I’m talking about the physical side, winning headers, because the football side takes care of itself for me.
"He’s a very good footballer so, he’s really impressed me this season and I certainly think he can go to a higher level.”
Souttar, who is under contract at Tynecastle until the summer of 2022, has earned three caps at senior level for Scotland.
