CRAIG LEVEIN has claimed that John Souttar opted to move to Rangers instead of an option in England due to a "serious illness" in his family.
The Scotland international has penned a pre-contract agreement at Ibrox and will move to Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side at the end of the season.
Rangers beat off competition from a host of English Championship clubs, including Blackburn and Sheffield United, to land the services of the 25-year-old.
And Levein insists the move was down to an illness within Souttar's family.
Levein told BBC Sportsound: "Very sadly, a family member of John's has a very, very serious illness and he doesn't want to leave Scotland at this minute in time.
"Obviously the only option on the table, other than staying at Hearts, is Rangers.
"I believe that's why, yes he wants to win trophies and to be successful, but his primary concern this minute in time is that he doesn't leave Scotland."
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