Emotional Souttar celebrates 'proud moment' after crucial Scotland goal

John Souttar said it was hard to find the words to describe his feelings after scoring the opening goal in Scotland’s win over Denmark after making a remarkable return to the national team.

The Hearts defender has bounced back three times from serious injury and found form for his club before getting a late call-up to Steve Clarke’s squad to face the side ranked tenth in the world.

Souttar was put in the starting line-up to replace Jack Hendry and he scored to put Scotland 1-0 up against the group winners in the Word Cup qualifier before Che Adams scored a late second in the biggest win of Clarke’s tenure. It was Souttar’s first cap in three years.

The defender said that scoring was something that would stay with him for the rest of his life.

“It was amazing,” he told STV. “It’s hard to describe just now.

“But yeah, it was unbelievable and something I’ll remember and my family will remember for the rest of our lives.”

Souttar said the majority of his family were at Hampden to cheer him on.

“Most of them [were here],” he said. “My brother wasn’t, he didn’t make it but he was at home watching and proud but everyone else was here and they’re delighted.”

Souttar admitted he had a brief worry that something would rule the goal out but was relieved that his big moment made a contribution to a memorable performance.

“I remember getting up after the celebration and praying it wasn’t for VAR ‘cause I gave the celebration a right go so I was just hoping it wasn’t called back,” he said. “Thankfully it wasn’t.

“It was a proud moment for the country. The way we performed for the whole game was amazing and for me to be part of that was brilliant.”

The win ensured that Scotland will be seeded for the play-off semi-final and will enjoy home advantage, something that Souttar thinks can be a huge boost with a big crowd behind the team.

“I think we’ve made Hampden a cauldron again,” he said. “I think everyone is behind us.

“You see the stadium at the end it was unbelievable , something I can’t really remember in my whole life being like this.

“Maybe years and years ago but to see it like this, the whole country behind us, it’s amazing.”