Robbie Neilson has confirmed Craig Halkett will miss the Europa Conference League opener with Istanbul Basaksehir as he delivered a transfer signing update.
Hearts welcome the Turkish side to Tynecastle later this evening in the first of six group matches as they begin juggling European and domestic matters. Fiorentina and RFS make up the remaining teams in the section as the capital club bid to get off to a flying start.
They have been boosted by some late arrivals in the shape of Orestis Kiomourtzoglou, Stephen Humphrys, Zander Clark and Robert Snodgrass with the latter unavailable for selection in the group stages due to his arrival after UEFA's deadline for squad submission. Neilson was vocal in wanting to add strength and depth to his squad and he has provided a further update on whether he will dip back into the free agent market or not.
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Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News about his latest squad news, he said: “Halkett is still an issue and won't make the game but other than that everyone is available."
On the arrival of experienced Snodgrass and transfer plans, he added: “We were looking to bring someone in with a bit of quality in the forward areas. The opportunity came up a couple of days ago so I had a good chat with him. I think he'll be a real good addition to the squad because he knows the league and he's got experience.
"He missed the deadline for European games but that probably suits him more, with the age he's at, that he can just prepare week-to-week.
“That'll be us done at the moment. I'm pleased with the squad.
“We've improved it and we've increased the numbers in the last couple of days with Zander Clark, Stephen Humprys and Snodgrass. It gives us more of a squad to push forward with.”
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