Hearts transfer latest: Signing close, star to exit, more arrivals

Joel Sked looks at what has happened since the window opened on Wednesday.

Early business

Hearts are trying to get as much of their transfer business done as early as they can.

"When the window opens, as a coach, you want players in as quickly as possible," Neil Critchley noted ahead of the window opening. "Not at the end of January, but ASAP, so they can have an immediate impact.

"We're working extremely hard with the club to try and reinforce the squad in certain areas of the pitch because I think that would be obvious what we're aiming to do and hopefully we can get some business done early."

With the team 11th in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts aren't in a position to wait around. When a team is doing well they can afford to bide their time in January and only do business that is pressing or suits. Hearts are not in that position. They have required reinforcements in key areas.

Elton Kabangu was the first to arrive. Hearts were still working on a work permit ahead of the game against Motherwell but it didn't come through in time. He should hopefully be in line to be involved against Dundee United. With Lawrence Shankland's injury, the Belgian's availability is all the more welcome.

The second arrival is set to be Jamie McCart. The left-sided centre-back has agreed a pre-contract but Hearts are looking to bring that forward to January. It is expected to go through sooner rather than later. 

The 27-year-old impressed on the left of a back three during his time at St Johnstone, especially when they won the Scottish and League Cup double. He, Liam Gordon, and Jason Kerr had a good balance and relationship, albeit it lost its way somewhat in McCart's final season after Kerr left.

He's not been a regular at Rotherham over his three seasons there and has had two spells out on loan. McCart has, however, made 20 of his 33 appearances for the Millers this campaign. He knows the Premiership well so should take little time to get up to speed and adapt.

Kye Rowles future

The Australian is on the verge of a move away from Hearts to MLS side DC United. Negotiations have been taking place and a fee, Hearts Standard understands, has been agreed. However, the deal is not expected to go through until later in the window.

Rowles is someone who has split opinion during his time at Tynecastle Park and that could be seen by the reaction to the deal and the reported fee of £600,000.

I like Rowles and believe he is a good player and a good defender but he has been hindered by the physical side of Scottish football which is a key requirement for a defender. He's never quite adapted consistently to the hustle and bustle of the game.

Rowles' talents as a defender lie on the ground, anticipating play and going one-on-one with opponents. Statistically, he is the team's best defender when facing an opponent attempting to take them on and is one of the league's most effective defenders at blocking shots.

Read more

• How a 'box of four' allowed Hearts to dominate in narrow win over Motherwell

• Hearts record much-needed win: Stunning Gordon save, Penrice stars, no Shankland

• James Wilson on best Hearts game, why he enjoyed Boyce partnership and speed aim

• Why Hearts attacking drop off has been more than Lawrence Shankland's struggles

There is understandable disappointment from some regarding the reported fee which is likely to have clauses that could benefit Hearts in the future. Many fans would have had cartoon pound signs in their eyes after the World Cup where he impressed for Australia as they made it out of the group stage. The long-term extension until 2028 signed in January 2023 was welcomed and viewed as sensible business at the time.

He should thrive in MLS.

Sandilands exit

Callum Sandilands joining Montrose on loan for the remainder of the season is a move that makes sense for all parties. The attacking midfielder had all but completed the Lowland League. He had 50 goal involvements in just over 80 games for Hearts B and if he wasn't going to get minutes for the first team, the next best option was to go on loan higher up the pyramid.

Montrose are a team who are regularly pushing for a play-off spot and even promotion to the Championship. They have one of the best part-time managers in Stewart Petrie, a team with experienced individuals and a track record of being a good landing spot for players on loan. They have helped develop Dundee duo Luke Graham and Lyall Cameron as well as Dundee United's Miller Thomson.

A run of games in League One should stand Sandilands in good stead for next season.

Left-back

One disappointment from today has been the postponement of Hearts B's Lowland League fixture with Civil Service Strollers due to the weather. It prevents Ethan Drysdale from getting more minutes following his return from injury.

The young left-back was namechecked by Neil Critchley as an option for the second half of the season as depth at left-back following Andres Salazar's return to Colombia.

Drysdale started the friendly with Leyton Orient in the summer but picked up an injury that kept him out until December. He is, however, highly rated at the club - someone they have "high hopes for" according to Critchley - and the hope is he gets a run of games in the next few weeks with the B team.

More incomings

Hearts are continuing to work on more signings with talks taking place with targets and potential deals progressing.

Managers are always reluctant to put a number on possible arrivals so as not to overpromise and underdeliver. But the likelihood is of at least two more arrivals depending on how moves progress.