Robbie Neilson is looking for another centre back as Hearts prepare to welcome Yutaro Oda.
The Vissel Kobe forward is expected to complete his switch to Tynecastle over the weekend, but Neilson admits a move for Callum Paterson could be less straightforward. Australian wonderkid Garang Kuol was in the capital for a look around the club’s Riccarton training base and the Jambos are hopeful of persuading the Newcastle United teenager of joining them on loan.
But the centre of defence has become a priority during the January transfer window after Craig Halkett was ruled out for the rest of the season. He suffered a cruciate knee injury during the 2-2- draw with Dundee United on Christmas Eve, while goalkeeper Craig Gordon also saw his campaign ended early that day after an horrific double leg break. However, Neilson is pleased with his squad depth in general, which has been backed up by his team’s results since their injury nightmare continued.
A 3-2 victory over St Johnstone preceded a thumping 3-0 Edinburgh derby win over Hibs. Lawrence Shankland has taken on the role of captain and netted three goals in two matches, while Zander Clark has stepped up between the sticks. But an extra body at the back is something Neilson wants.
“Yes, we're looking to bring someone in. We've got a couple of targets we're looking at so we'll see how that goes,” said Neilson. “We've probably got about 18 good players, so if we get injuries we've got guys that come in and still win you football matches. The guys that have come in have tried to do that. We'll strengthen in January, we'll strengthen in the summer and that's the process.
“Injuries are injuries. We lose Craig Gordon and bring in Zander Clark who's an international. We lost Craig Halkett and we've got Rowles, Sibbick, Neilson. Striker-wise we've got Shanks [Lawrence Shankland], that's just part of football. We've been unlucky with injuries but the majority of them have been contact injuries which you can't really do much about. We just need to keep digging away.”
Oda’s arrival is a case of when rather than if. However, talks are continuing with Sheffield Wednesday over Paterson. The former Hearts player is out of contract at the end of the season, but more discussions need to take place over a January exit from Hillsborough.
“Hopefully Oda will be here in the next couple of days, everything's done,” Neilson confirmed. “With Callum, the clubs are talking and we'll just wait and see. His contract's up at the end of the season so there's got to be negotiation between the clubs. We'd like to get him here, though.”
Neilson would also like to keep Stephen Humphrys until the end of the season. The on-loan Wigan man struck against the Hibees and fans want him here for good.
A permanent deal is't something that will be looked at until the summer. Of more concern is whether the Latics decide to recall Humphrys this month.
Neilson added: “He’s got 18 months left at Wigan so it’s not something we would do just now, but potentially in the summer we might look at that. Wigan have an option to take him back this month so we’re waiting to see about that.
“It’s not in our hands. We’re desperate to keep him and I know Stephen’s desperate to stay here but ultimately the parent club have the power.”
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