Deal for hitkid is a slow Woodburner
Neilson waiting on Liverpool all-clear for Ben loan switch
ROBBIE NEILSON says he’s awaiting the final nod from Liverpool to seal his loan for Welsh star Ben Woodburn.
The Hearts gaffer has targeted the 21-year-old to bolster his squad on a short-term deal.
International Woodburn is keen to become Neilson’s fifth arrival of the summer on a loan move from Anfield.
The attacker wants the switch and a transfer is virtually over the line, although Neilson says he’s still not, at this stage, received a full green light from Merseyside.
Woodburn was an unused sub for Jurgen Klopp in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory away to Norwich six days ago and Hearts are ready for his arrival.
But Neilson said: “We are still negotiating with them and trying to get something done.
“He’s keen to come and we’re keen to get him.
“But he’s a Liverpool player at the moment, so we need to wait for them to make a decision.
“He’s a player we have been watching for a while now and we are trying to get in.
“But the deal is not done, so we just have to wait and see. It’s very early stages. We have made contact, they’re happy to do it, it’s just a case of getting it done.”
Adding Woodburn would be a huge shot in the arm to the Tynecastle squad, with his sky-high talent and reputation making patience in any delayed negotiations worthwhile.
Neilson, meanwhile, can’t wait for Sunday’s Tynecastle crunch with Aberdeen as the Jambos look to make it three league wins.
He said: “It’s a big game for us. You think Hibs, Rangers, Celtic and Aberdeen are the games you look for, especially the home games. Hopefully we’ll have a full house for it and it will be brilliant just getting the fans back in and the atmosphere.
“If we want to be where we want to be, we need to beat Celtic, like we did at home, to beat Aberdeen at home, Rangers and Hibs.
“The objective for us is top six and trying to get into Europe.
“Hearts should be consistently in there. Scotland had five teams in this year and we see ourselves trying to get into it.
“But it’s easier said than done – you have to prove it.
“Speaking to the boys at the beginning of the season, we have an objective of where we want to get to. But the main objective is to win every week. You have to do that.
“We’ve managed to do it quite consistently this season but this is another challenge against Aberdeen.
“They have a very big squad and a strong squad when you look at it.
“Look at the bench and it is full of good players. Us at the moment, we need to add.”