Ginnelly and Irving next, as Kingsley signs new contract
After extending defender Stephen Kingsley’s contract, Hearts aim to finalise deals for winger Josh Ginnelly and midfielder Andy Irving imminently.
Ginnelly has indicated a desire to stay at Tynecastle Park beyond the end of his loan from Preston North End. Manager Robbie Neilson said he does not envisage any major problems securing the popular Englishman on a permanent basis.
Irving has already been offered new terms with negotiations ongoing. Neilson admitted he wants to keep the 20-year-old for “as long as possible” given his influence this season.
Hearts gave left-back Kingsley a new 18-month contract yesterday as they continue building for a return to the Scottish Premiership. Ginnelly and Irving are next on the agenda.
Ginnelly’s loan expires this summer concurrent with his Preston contract, rendering him a free agent at that point. He is therefore permitted to talk to any interested club as of this month.
“We've just started speaking to his agent. We will continue talking to try and get things moving,” explained Neilson. “Josh has got blistering pace which a lot of teams in Scotland can't handle.
“Over the last 18 months he has struggled with niggling injuries. We believe with the sports science and medical staff here we can give him the best opportunity to play every week. We just want to get him on the pitch on a Saturday now.
“He is enjoying his time at the club and he likes it here. He likes the stadium and the training facilities. He hasn't experienced a full Tynecastle yet, which he is desperate to do.
“I think both parties are keen to get something done so I don't see there being too many issues on it.”
Irving’s Hearts contract also finishes at the end of the current campaign.
“We've offered Andy a contract. He's come back, there's been a counter offer so we'll go back again,” said Neilson.
“We'd like to try and get that over the line. We've been talking for a number of weeks. Andy has been playing very well for us and we'd like to try
and get him here for as long as possible.”
Hearts host Raith Rovers at Tynecastle on Saturday looking to stretch their seven-point
lead at the top of the Championship and take a further step nearer automatic promotion.
The club have no intention of resting on laurels and are
already putting foundations in place to help them challenge the biggest clubs in Scotland. Kingsley is the latest piece in the jigsaw.
“We're delighted to get him on board for another 18 months. We've been speaking to him for a couple of weeks about trying to extend this. It brings a bit of stability for him and for ourselves,” said Neilson.
“We brought Gary Mackaysteven in, Michael Smith has extended his deal and we're trying to get Ginnelly over the line as well.”
Describing the Kingsley deal as a “real boost” for the club, Neillson added: “I’m delighted that we’ve got this one over the line.
“Stephen is a top quality player and has made a real impact since joining the squad.
“I know he’s popular with the fans and it’s great that they will get to see him pull on the maroon jersey for another 18 months and, of course, it’s a real boost for us to retain the services of a top, top player.”