The Tynecastle club are understood to be looking to recruit a right-sided centre-back, midfielder and at least one striker before the summer transfer window closes, but are in no immediate rush and are prepared to dip into the English loan market again if they can’t land their primary targets.
Former St Mirren playmaker Connor Ronan and ex-Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland are on both the club’s shortlist, but Neilson is comfortable going into the opening two league games against Ross County and Hibs with the squad as it is.
Hearts have already recruited Lewis Neilson, Kye Rowles, Jorge Grant and Alan Forrest. Speaking exclusively to the Edinburgh Evening News, Neilson insisted bringing in players who will improve the team is the priority and he is willing to wait. “The most important thing is bringing quality in,” he said. “If it takes a week or it takes four weeks it doesn’t matter.
We’ve got a long season ahead and a lot of games ahead. We’ve got to bring quality into the group. “I don’t really care when they come in, as long as they are good players.