He was a star turn for Hearts during his spell in Gorgie - now John Souttar is being tipped to prove his credentials as the Premiership's best centre-back.
The Scotland international had a shaky debut playing alongside Connor Goldson in last weekend's 2-1 win over Livingston and missed Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League third qualifying round first leg defeat against Union-Saint Gilloise. There are still high hopes for Souttar who established himself as a rock for the Jambos, despite multiple serious injuries.
Paul Ritchie, a member of the Tynecastle club's famous 1998 Scottish Cup winning squad, made the move from Edinburgh to Glasgow in 2000 after a short loan with Bolton, but it didn't work out and he left after just two months. The former Scotland international tells Glasgow Live Sport that he expects Souttar to shine and show his elite quality after Rangers picked him up on a pre-contract agreement.
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He said: "John Souttar was different class for Hearts. He was immense in the Scottish Cup final in May. When John was fit, he was a star for Hearts and he'll be a massive miss.
"For me, my move was slightly different. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I hope John goes there and has a successful season and career. It never worked out for me and I thought at the time it was the right decision.
"John is potentially going to be a league winner and win things that at Hearts are a bit more difficult to achieve. In football, you are in it to achieve the best you can. It's a short career and you want to be in an environment where you win things.
"John was probably the top defender in Scottish football, playing outside Celtic or Rangers. So it was either Celtic, Rangers or an English Championship or Premier League club who were going to come and grasp him."
Ritchie himself admits a move to Rangers is one he wish he didn't make, suffering pelters from fans of the club he grew up supporting.
Dick Advocaat signed him up at the turn of the millennium after his short stint at Bolton but by the end of that summer, he was playing at Manchester City.
The 46-year-old added: "Hindsight proved it wasn't (a good move). It is one of those, supporters are loyal to their club. They feel betrayed if a player leaves to go to another Scottish club.
"It's part of being a supporter. I still got a lot of stick when I went to Dundee United but I am still a Hearts supporter. There were a lot of things about that move that were never publicised. If I could change it, I would."
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