Ryan Stevenson reckons Lawrence Shankland is the man needed to make up Hearts' 'fantastic four'.
Robbie Neilson has already been in active in the market bringing in Kye Rowles, Lewis Neilson and Alan Forrest to Tynecastle so far this summer.
The Hearts boss hasn't hidden his desire to strengthen his attacking ranks with Ellis Simms' transfer saga set to rumble on while Ben Woodburn has also left the club after his loan.
Stevenson used to play alongside Forrest and he is already excited at the prospect of the winger hooking up with Shankland in the Hearts starting XI next season.
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Add Barrie McKay and Liam Boyce and the ex-Jambos ace reckons it would take the capital club to the next level.
Writing in his Daily Record column, he said: "Honestly, the thought of seeing my old Somerset Park team-mate Alan Forrest reacquainted with Lawrence Shankland in a Hearts line-up next season has me giddy.
"Forrest, Barrie McKay, Liam Boyce, Shankland – a fantastic four that would take Hearts soaring to the next level.
"The Forrest half of the old Ayr partnership, which blew away Championship defences for fun a few years ago, has already been delivered.
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"And Shankers’ name keeps being linked with Hearts.
"Joe Savage admitted last month he’s on the radar and having worked with Robbie Neilson before, you’d like to think the player would be keen.
"Obviously the price tag could be a major hurdle. Listen, it’s still only talk but Hearts will be serious about Shankland and Robbie’s not hidden the fact a new No.9 is his priority.
"Ellis Simms did a fantastic job last season and a loan return from Everton is still a possibility.
"But it looks like the Jambos will have to wait a while for an answer on that one, so if a deal for Lawrence can be done, it’s an absolute no-brainer.
"Shankers came to Ayr after my time but I know him well and I have watched his progression closely.
"What he did at Ayr was sensational but I bet you he would pay a huge amount of credit to Alan on the supply line.
"They tore apart defences and to get Ayr into the play-offs that 2018-19 season as second top scorers in the Championship was incredible.
"Lawrence is already proven in Scotland – he has done it for Ayr and Dundee United.
"He scores all sorts of goals and has strength to lead the line.
"He would get plenty of opportunities in that Hearts side and I would hang my hat on him scoring a barrowload.
"Next to Boyce, with McKay and Forrest out wide, it would be dynamite."
