Steven Naismith insists there’s no panic over the lack of signings at Hearts despite their nearest rivals tooling up early for the new campaign.
The Tynecastle technical director is leading the Jambos’ recruitment drive along with sporting director Joe Savage and says he wants between three and six new faces. Hearts pulled out of the race to land Central Coast Mariners winger Sammy Silvera with the Aussie bound for the English Championship.
But Naismith is keen to strengthen the forward areas especially after Josh Ginnelly’s exit and Record Sport revealed Dundee United playmaker Jamie McGrath is on the radar. Hearts fans are desperate for news on new additions and have seen Aberdeen sign five new recruits and Hibs four so far.
But Naismith insists he won’t be rushed into panic buys - especially with Liam Boyce and Beni Baningime back in the mix after lengthy spells on the sidelines and Craig Halkett not far behind.
He said: “We’re not panicking because we know what we want and it needs to be the right player. We could have signed players but we never felt they were quite right. We will wait for the right time to move.
“We have a good squad as it is. Boycey and Beni come in straight away and feel like new signings. We have Halks back on the grass.
“That’s a good squad. It’s the depth we need.
“We’ve lost a few with players going back on loan and some at the end of their contract. Some of them will be replaced like for like.
“But we’re not signing seven, eight, nine, 10 players. We’ll be looking to do between three and six.
“A few areas we’re not happy with the depth and other areas the style of play is impacted with the players in certain positions and we need to look to try to be better.
“We’ve identified the areas we want to improve on, we did that last season. We’ve had some players we have identified and it’s trying to get deals done that are right for the club and right for the player.
“Hopefully we make a few sooner rather than later.”
Naismith insists he’s happy for Frankie McAvoy to take the lead as head coach while he heads up the recruitment drive.
He said: “In terms of recruitment we identify as a group but I will be the one who says ‘let’s go for him’.
“Joe (Savage) is the guy that hopefully makes it happen.
“The recruitment department has been built over the years so they’re the guys who initially identify players. We have given them what we look for in each position and what needs to happen on a whole to get involved with us.
“I would say for any management team recruitment is the biggest part you need to get right. If you don’t then you’re fighting a losing battle.”
One player who won’t be back after turning down a new deal and signing for Swansea is Josh Ginnelly.
Naismith asaid: “I had a good idea that was coming. When you get to the end of a season and go off on holidays and not signed a new contract then it very much means he’s in the market looking for a new club.
“We’d factored that in when we knew we were going to lose him.
“Josh had a brilliant season and suited the way we played. But we now need to replace that and find someone who can do a similar job with similar attributes.”
READ NEXT
