Hearts boss Craig Levein has revealed defender John Souttar is close to agreeing a new deal at Tynecastle.

The Scotland international has become a key figure for the Jambos since joining in February 2016 and has 18 months left on his current deal.

But Levein is determined to secure the spine of his side as he looks to build a platform for future success.

Fellow defenders Christophe Berra and Michael Smith have already been tied down on new agreements and now fresh terms for Souttar is next on the agenda.

The 22-year-old was badly missed during a during a three-month lay-off following hip surgery but returned against St Johnstone on Saturday and Levein was delighted to have him back.

Speaking ahead of Friday's trip to Kilmarnock, he said: "It's hard to have a sustainable challenge without having stability. That's where we're trying to get to.

"We've made some steps forward, with Christophe and Michael both signing a new contract. I don't want to say too much but we're very, very close to John Souttar signing a new contract as well.

"There are two or three others as well that I want to put on long-term deals and that is solely based on trying to get this stability that we're after.

"I was so chuffed with John's performance on Saturday. To have him back in the team makes me feel good."

Levein admits he was sad to see his Hibernian sparring partner Neil Lennon depart the scene in the capital this week.

The pair had their run-ins, most notably over the Levein's claim that Edinburgh's 'natural order' had been restored following a Hearts derby win.

Yet Levein has sympathy for the Northern Irishman.

Lennon's departure means 19 of Scotland's 42 league clubs have changed managers this season, and the Hearts boss said: "I don't know enough to talk about the detail of what happened. I can say that I really like Neil as a person.

"It's quite difficult when we were in the positions we're in to have a great friendship.

"But I think he's a decent, straightforward guy and I've always had a lot of time for him.

"It's sad. There's a great deal of empathy amongst the managers in Scotland and when one leaves – and Martin Canning is away – it's always difficult."

"The turnover is crazy. We are trying to sign our players on long-term contracts and bring through young players because we have a long-term plan. The reason for it is to stop this constant change over of managers.

"Every time you do it, it costs you money and that is money that's not going in to develop the squad.

"For me, the way forward is continuity."