Robbie Neilson says Liam Boyce will NOT be leaving Hearts as he provided an update on reported interest in Lawrence Shankland and his pursuit of Jorge Grant and Alex Cochrane.
The Tynecastle boss has been busy in the transfer market so far adding Kye Rowles, Lewis Neilson and Alan Forrest with more summer arrivals to follow. The Jambos are set to juggle domestic matters with a European adventure and Neilson wants to increase his squad numbers in able to cope with the demand of the new season.
Aberdeen and Ipswich had both been linked with a move for Northern Ireland international Boyce - with the hitman Hearts' only striker at this moment. He's been described as a 'big player' by his club boss, who says he is happy at the club. Talk continues to rumble on surrounding Scotland cap S hankland with Neilson a huge fan having previously worked with him at Dundee United.
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But the Hearts gaffer says there has been no talk between the clubs and doesn't think that will change.
He said: “There’s nothing, although there has been a lot of talk about it. I think it’s this time of year.
“There is nothing between the clubs though, so we’ll wait and see.
“I know Shanks really well but at this moment there is nothing happening.
“If that changes then we’ll see but I don’t think it will.”
READ MORE: Hearts boss Robbie Neilson eyes five more summer transfers as he pinpoints key positions
On Boyce, he added: “Boyce’s been our top goalscorer the two years I’ve been here. I don’t want to lose him and I don’t expect to.
“He’s my only striker as well. I said that when I spoke to him the other day.
“We need to just deal with it. Liam’s happy and delighted to be here.
“He’s got European football, has been the top goalscorer the last couple of years, and played just about every game. He’s a big player for us.”
Two players set to come in are Jorge Grant and Alex Cochrane. The latter impressed on loan last season and played a key part of the success in the capital last term.
Both players are said to be desperate to join Hearts, with work behind the scenes continuing to get both deals across the line.
Neilson said: “We are still working away with Brighton so we will hopefully get that over the line, maybe in a few days’ time.
“Jorge Grant from Peterborough is still a wee bit back and forward, but again, we are quite far down the line with it.
“Both players are desperate to come here, it’s just a case of getting this sorted out in the background.
“These things always take longer than you would hope.
“I’ve known Jorge for a number of years from when I was down south at MK Dons. I saw him at different clubs.
“When he was at Nottingham Forest, I knew Mark Warburton and David Weir, who had him there.
“He moved to Notts County on loan too so I’ve always had an eye on him.”
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