Neilson still expects more ins and outs at Tynecastle
Hearts are preparing for a busy few days until the end of the transfer window with players potentially arriving and leaving.
The Edinburgh club covet another two signings – a defender and a midfield player – and are willing to let some squad members go. They include forward Craig Wighton, winger Lewis Moore and midfielder Loic Damour.
“There are still a couple of areas I would like to strengthen and I hope for a few ins and a few outs in the coming days,” explained manager Robbie Neilson.
“The squad is in good nick but you always want the squad to be in a better place than when you entered the window.
"At the moment we’ve brought in Armand Gnanduillet and Gary Mackay-steven and we want to bolster that.”
Arbroath are one of several clubs interested in a loan deal for Wighton. He may well have played his last match for Hearts with his contract expiring this summer.
“I had a chat with Craig. We’ve allowed him to speak to some clubs because he wants that wee bit of security and see what’s out there,” explained Neilson.
“He doesn’t want to go into the summer market facing the unknown. If he can get something sorted then he’ll go with our best wishes. If not, he’ll stay with the group because he has been a key member of the squad this season.”
Andy Irving has been offered a second and improved contract in an attempt to keep him at Tynecastle. Negotiations are ongoing with the 20-year-old, whose current deal expires at the end of the season. He has developed into a key midfield player this term and fans are eager for him to stay.
Hearts offered him a contract earlier this month and he responded with a counter offer. Tynecastle officials have now put forward a second proposal with more lucrative terms. They will await Irving’s answer but don’t intend to put a deadline in place as they continue conversations via the player’s representatives.
“We have offered Andy a contract we think is really good and we are just waiting to hear back his interest in it or whether he is going to counter offer on it,” said Neilson.
“There’s no timescale. My hope is Andy focuses, as he has been doing recently, on his work on the pitch and we deal with his agent. If you put a time limit on it you start putting pressure on players.
“For a young kid he’s quite level-headed and strongminded. He understands the situation. We’ve given him a good offer and he is in discussions so we’ll see where it goes.”
Josh Ginnelly’s latest injury is a blow to Hearts given the winger’s pace and direct style. He was forced off with a hamstring complaint early in Tuesday night’s 4-0 win at Raith Rovers and is unlikely to make tomorrow’s match with Dunfermline.
“We’re waiting for the swelling to go down so we can get it scanned but it is not looking good for the weekend. It’s a difficult one for him because he was just getting himself back to full fitness,” admitted Neilson.