After just one new addition on transfer deadline day, Hearts set about exploring their options in the free agent market.
On paper, snaring two Scotland internationals looks like shrewd business by Robbie Neilson and Joe Savage. Zander Clark was a surprise addition less than 24 hours after the window closed, the former St Johnstone keeper penning a three-year deal as back up to Craig Gordon, with the expectation being that he will eventually inherit the gloves from the Tynecastle skipper.
Even more of a shock was the arrival of Robert Snodgrass. The Former Livingston, Leeds, West Brom and West Ham man was on the hunt for a new club after leaving Luton Town in the summer. He looked set to sign for Motherwell before interest from Fir Park reportedly cooled. The player himself revealed he had “five or six’ offers north of the border, but opted to sign a one-year deal in Gorgie.
Snodgrass turns 35 today so is no spring chicken. However, with Gordon still doing the business at 39, age shouldn’t be a barrier to a successful season. He admits himself he'll need some time to get up to speed and won’t be eligible for the Europa Conference League group stage due to when he signed.
But Hearts are going to need their whole squad over the coming weeks. October is set to be a particularly brutal month with eight games scheduled for the Jambos.
Injuries and suspension have taken their toll in recent weeks with the capital club losing four of their last five games. Two of those were in the Europa League playoff against FC Zurich and a much-changed side went down 2-0 at Celtic with nine men.
But a home defeat to Kilmarnock in the Premier Sports Cup to Kilmarnock was followed up by a loss to Livingston by the same scoreline as Hearts put in their worst display of the season so far.
Neilson has warned his players that they’ll need to learn to cope with the demands of playing Thursday-Sunday for most of the first part of the campaign. The additions of Clark and Snodgrass should help in that regard.
But where will the former Scotland international fit in? He started his career as a fiery teenage winger at Livi before developing his game further at Elland Road.
A knack of scoring big goals - especially for Scotland - was a welcome part of his game and his prowess from set pieces illustrates how effective his left foot can be.
His days of bombing down the flank are probably over, but Snodgrass said himself that he’s at his best in a more central role anyway.
“Obviously positions have changed over the years,” he told Hearts TV. “I’ve always scored goals and created goals everywhere I've been.
“When you get into your 30s, managers ask you to play different positions. I’ve always played my best football as a number 10 or cutting in off the right. But I’ve not really done that over the last few years. It’s been a centre midfield role.
“But listen, I’m all about the team. The team always comes first. If I can help in any way, whether I’m playing or not playing, if that’s by building up the process of getting myself fit because that’s going to take a little bit of time, it’s a new voice to try and help”
The ability to operate as a number 10 will be useful in the short-term. A long-term injury to Liam Boyce was a big blow to Neilson, and Snodgrass’ experience and nose for goals would go someway to softening that if Hearts can get hi, firing.
They're not short of wide options. Barrie Mckay has been a revelation since joining as a free agent himself last September. Gary Mackay-Steven and Josh Ginnelly are more traditional wingers, so Snodgrass offers balance on the opposite flank to those two.
Playing deeper also mixes it up a bit. Beni Baningime won't be back until after Christmas and while Peter Haring and Cammy Devlin are big players, both are more defensively minded. If Snodgrass still has the legs, then a more forward-thinking option arriving from the middle of the park would offer a different dimension. Jorge Grant can do that, but has featured more in the three behind the strikers so far.
It’s almost a cliche now, but being ‘good around the place’ is a quality every manager wants from his experienced pros. Gordon is a rime example, as was Steven Naismith when he still occupied a spot in the dressing room before joining the coaching staff.
Snodgrass is of a similar stature. The value of having him there for younger players such as Connor Smith to learn from shouldn't be underestimated and will be one of the ways he’s expected to contribute when he isn’t on the park.
Every signing is a gamble and a 35-year-old free agent isn’t going to have the team built around him. But in theory, Snodgrass brings more than enough to the table to suggest that his capture is very much towards the lower end of the risk scale.
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