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Edinburgh Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Hearts transfer business given green light by Andy Halliday as he delivers 'go to the top' verdict

Andy Halliday has given Hearts' summer recruitment drive the green light as he predicts big things for Lewis Neilson.

Robbie Neilson has had a busy couple of months in the transfer market to date as he bids to strengthen his pool with the Jambos set to contest domestic and European matters this season. The capital club will find out whether they will face Linfield or FC Zurich in the Europa League play-off round later this evening and they have the guarantee fall back of Europa Conference League group stages should they fall short in the final qualifying round for Europe's second tier competition.

Hearts finished best of the rest behind Celtic and Rangers last season in the perfect return to the Scottish Premiership. They topped off their stunning domestic league campaign with a Scottish Cup Final appearance, but Halliday wants to go one better and win silverware this time around. He knows it is a tough task, but says the Gorgie side have the players capable of going all the way and tasting success at the national stadium.

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Speaking about Neilson's summer signings to date, he said: "Lewis Neilson, who came from Dundee United, hasn't actually played in the league yet but at 19-years-old he's got all the attributes to go to the top and he'll certainly be a very good player for us in the future.

"Alan Forrest is really direct and we didn't have that in the team before so he gives us something different and no full-back wants to play against him.

"Lawrence Shankland guarantees goals and Jorge Grant has came up from Peterborough - everyone knows how good he is.

"We've recruited really well in the summer and added players that will improve the squad as well as give us that depth that we missed last year.

"The opening day against Ross County showed already that we can win even when not playing our best and then the Edinburgh derby was frustrating because we were so close to the win but it's definitely a positive start to the season."

Halliday, speaking on behalf of Grosvenor Sport, added: "Our home form at Tynecastle was excellent last year and that's something we'll try and replicate.

"We know the atmosphere is really good so if we can use that to our advantage again it'll stand us in good stead.

"We've added great players to the squad and I think we'll do really well. The aim for the season is obviously to win three points every Saturday but if we can win a trophy this time around it'd be great.

You see how highly regarded the 2012 team is still to this day and we want to try and emulate that.

"We want to win every competition we're in and we know that we're a very good team, but we also know how good Rangers and Celtic are.

"We'll try and win every cup we're in this year."

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