Robbie Neilson admits Hearts will once again look to the likes of the Australian market as they bid to identify transfer targets ahead of January.
The Jambos have enjoyed great success Down Under bringing in Cammy Devlin, Kye Rowles and Nathaniel Atkinson. All three have excelled in the capital and are now off to the World Cup as part of Graham Arnold's Socceroos squad - a pitching point the Gorgie boss will be able to use when trying to get signings over the line during the winter window.
Hearts are right in the mix to finish third once again and secure another European adventure. They finished best of the rest behind Celtic and Rangers last season and enjoyed playing Europa Conference League group stage football this term - a feat they'd very much like to repeat next season.
READ MORE: Hearts No1 Craig Gordon hits fresh milestone with 700th senior appearance in Scotland defeat
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But in the here and now, the focus turns to January recruitment post-World Cup with Neilson admitting due to the limited budget the Tynecastle club have, they can't go to the bigger nations in Europe or even the MLS to get the players they want. That's where Australia comes into things with fellow SPFL rivals like Hibs, Dundee United and St Mirren exploiting a similar market.
He told Edinburgh Evening News: “We’ve only got a limited budget so we can’t go to big nations in Europe, even the MLS is difficult for us now. We have to try and find these countries that have value for money and the good thing about the Australian market is that they all speak English. It’s a slightly different style of football, it’s different weather, but they’re athletic players.
“A lot of Australia boys want to play in Europe. It’s a big pull to come over here no matter what country it is. It is a market that more and more people are looking at. Hibs have got one or two, Dundee United have some, St Mirren as well.
“Hearts should have international footballers and should be a pathway to get into international football.
“We’ve managed to help get three guys to a World Cup and would like to get more guys into the Scotland squad and other nations. It shows the level the club is now competing at.”
READ NEXT:
- Hearts No1 Craig Gordon hits fresh milestone with 700th senior appearance in Scotland defeat
- Hibs vs Hearts women's Edinburgh derby at Easter Road to smash attendance record
- Hearts return to 'pre-pandemic financial strength' as club announce profit and reveal AGM date
- Hearts star Cammy Devlin admits 'surreal' World Cup feeling as he opens up on Tim Cahill chat
