John Souttar: Hearts leave centre-half out of Scottish Cup squad amid Rangers talks
- Published
John Souttar (right) joined Hearts from Dundee United in 2016
Head coach Robbie Neilson expects John Souttar to remain a Hearts player until the end of the season despite the Scotland defender's omission from the cup win against Auchinleck Talbot.
The 25-year-old signed has signed a pre-contract deal with Rangers and will join this summer.
Rangers are understood to have offered around £300,000 for the player to move during January.
But the Tynecastle club are looking for around £500,000.
"At the present time, he is a Hearts player and I don't see that changing," Neilson told BBC Scotland before his side beat Talbot in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.
Neilson says Souttar was left out because of an ankle injury, and insisted the defender will remain at the club unless a "substantial" offer is made.
If Souttar had played in Saturday's tie, he would have been cup-tied for the rest of the competition and unable to play for Rangers should a permanent transfer be agreed.
Rangers have already progressed to the fifth round after Friday's 4-0 win at home to League 2 side Stirling Albion.