Hearts manager Neil Critchley expects to add more players to his squad this January but has admitted he could miss defender Kye Rowles.
MLS club DC United have shown interest in the Australian international who joined the Jambos in 2022 from the Central Coast Mariners.
The future of captain Lawrence Shankland is also unclear as the Scotland striker enters the final six months of his contract; as did teammates Craig Gordon, Zander Clark, Barrie McKay, Liam Boyce and Jorge Grant.
Sunday, January 12 at 2:30 p.m
Departure at 15:00
The Tynecastle club have already been busy this window, securing the permanent signing of former St Johnstone defender Jamie McCart and adding Elton Kabangu on loan from Union Saint-Gilloise. But what does the rest of the window hold for the club? Here’s what Critchley said Sky Sports News…
Can Rowles leave?
Hearts’ Kye Rowles is wanted by MLS club DC United
“Yes, there was (interest).
“In January, you’re always looking to bring in players, but you always have to be ready for what-if scenarios and people are quite right to come in and make offers or negotiate with your players.
“Kye has been fantastic, he’s played almost every minute since I’ve been here and rightly so, he would attract suitors from elsewhere.
“We’re not looking to lose him, but at this time, every player has a price.”
Will there be more departures?
Lawrence Shankland is currently injured and out of contract at the end of this season
“We discuss this internally in terms of our strategy and our plan to take the club forward. Sometimes players can talk about you on the pitch, they can answer the questions we’re asking internally by training well and well played.
“They always have the option to change your mind or cement what you’re already thinking by the way they train every day and how they play.
“In January, we are looking to strengthen, but we are also looking further into the summer and hopefully in the coming months the picture will become clearer in terms of what we want to do.
“It’s been well publicized about (Lawrence) Shankland’s contract situation, all I can say is he’s the captain here and he’s been brilliant in my time here.
“He’s given everything for the team, he leads by example, and I’m glad he’s here. As long as he continues like that, then I’m happy.”
Are you expecting more signatures?
Daniel Armstrong is set to leave Kilmarnock on a free in the summer, but could Hearts make a move for the player?
“Any head coach would tell you that they are always looking to improve the team and we are no different.
“We’ve done a lot of business at the start of the window, which has been helpful. I’d still be surprised if the squad was the same at the end of January.
“I’m not going to talk about players from other clubs. Of course, I’m aware of Danny Armstrong because he’s been at Kilmarnock and played in this league for a few years and he’s done very well.
“We want to improve our squad, we’ve identified areas of the pitch that we want to try and strengthen, but it would be wrong of me to talk about a Kilmarnock player.”
Can Kabangu play against Aberdeen?
Elton Kabangu was Hearts’ first January signing
“He’s been given a work permit so he’s eligible to play. He’s here training with us so he’ll be in contention for the squad at the weekend.
“He will bring another dimension to our front line. Mobility, athleticism, ability to stretch the line and he is a scorer.
“I think he will add something different to what we have at the end of the pitch. But in the last couple of games we have been in good form and won a few games so he has a fight in him as well. hands to enter the team”.
