CRAIG LEVEIN was far from convinced that John Souttar was left out of Hearts' squad yesterday due to injury.

The former Tynecastle boss reckons talks are still ongoing between Hearts, Rangers and Souttar over a possible fee that could see the Scotland international move to Ibrox this window.

The 25-year-old last week agreed a pre-contract with Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side, and the cinch Premiership leaders have now initiated a move to try and land the centre-back in this current transfer window.

Souttar was left out as Hearts defeated Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup yesterday and Robbie Neilson claimed that was down to injury.

Asked if he bought Neilson's explanation, Levein told BBC Sportsound: “Probably not!

“It is like anything. It is like buying a house, you make up your mind on what you want to pay.

“I have heard [Hearts' asking price] is more than double the £300,000 offer that they were reportedly holding out for.

“He is under contract. They are quite within their right.

“If they don’t want to let him go for the money that Rangers are offering then John will just have to suck it up and play as well as he can until the end of the season. It is as simple as that."

Hearts take on Celtic this week ahead of the window closing a week tomorrow.

Levein added: “I honestly think if the deal is done then it will be done at that point.

“That will be John’s last game, the previous game to that moment.

“That is generally what happens on these occasions, I don’t think Hearts will want to keep a hold of him for one particular match.

“It is just about getting to the number that they want and if Rangers can’t do that then John will be playing with Hearts until the end of the season.”