The Smiths rock up to Tynecastle as Cathro works on fine tuning defensive line
Manager pins hopes on Manchester City loanee to solve problem position
Hearts have bolstered their defensive options with two more signings ahead of their first pre-season friendly at Livingston today.
Right-back Michael Smith has been brought in to fill the gap left by Callum Paterson and Andraz Struna, while manager Ian Cathro is hoping Ashley Smith-brown will be the answer to the left-back problem that has dogged the club in recent times.
Juwon Oshaniwa followed Faycal Rherras and Lennard Sowah out the door this week, leaving the path clear for the Tynecastle side to finalise the year-long loan deal for Manchester City’s Smith-brown.
A graduate of the City academy, the 21-year-old full-back spent last season helping Dutch side NAC Breda gain promotion to the Eredivisie, making 27 appearances.
Having represented England at various youth levels, he is keen to test himself in the Scottish top tier, telling Hearts TV that the proposition was too good to turn down.
“I’m really excited and just can’t wait to get started. Hearts are a big club. I’ve heard good things about the fans here and can’t wait to play in front of them. I spoke to Ian and I also had a chat with Craig [Levein, the director of football]. They only had positive things to say about the club and myself.”
The Gorgie outfit had moved swiftly to recruit Scotland international Christophe Berra early in the summer shutdown, then also added versatile Polish defender Rafal Grzelak to their central rearguard options. But the leftback berth has been a source of woe in recent seasons, with the club struggling to enlist someone capable of combining defensive capabilities with the attacking prowess needed in the modern game.
Smith-brown, who is strong
on his left and right foot, believes he can fulfil that remit.
“I’m a full-back so defending comes first, but I’m also very attacking. I like to create goals and I score the odd one. Hopefully, I can provide defensive and attacking options.”
Smith, who signed a two-year deal, joining the capital club from Peterborough United, said it was the manager who convinced him to head north of the border, claiming he was excited by his vision and aspirations.
“As soon as I got here it was clear this is a massive club and it’s great to be here,” Smith told Hearts TV. “The facilities, the stadium, the manager, it all seems like a good fit for me. I had a chat with Ian and everything he said was positive and the way he wants to play suits me down to the ground.
“People who know me will tell you I like to attack so hopefully we’ll get on top of teams this season. i think that will suit me down to aT .”
The 28-year-old Northern Irish man, who earned an international cap against Slovenia, in March last year, started his senior career at Ballymena United before getting a switch to Bristol Rovers in 2011. He made more than 100 appearances for The Pirates before he joined The Posh in July 2014. He made more than 130 outings for the League One side, but is now focused on helping the Scottish Premiership side, who are just over two weeks away from the start of competitive League Cup action.
The arrival of both full-backs takes the number of new arrivals to six, with reinforcements drafted in the attacking berths as well, after Kyle Lafferty joined fellow striker Cole Stockton earlier this week.
Cathro is still looking for a goalkeeper and has not ruled out further additions. Having knocked back a couple of bids for Jamie Walker, he also said it is not unthinkable that the winger could see out the final year of his contract.