4 Hearts transfer missions for Joe Savage as Jambos ramp up Europa League recruitment

The Hearts summer recruitment drive was kicked off last week after Alan Forrest signed up for this season's Euro campaign.

The former Livingston winger has penned a two-year deal at Tynecastle, but Robbie Neilson and sporting director Joe Savage are just getting started.

The Jambos will be fighting on two fronts next season – trying to pull away from the chasing pack in third place while closing the gap on Celtic and Rangers will be the domestic priority.

But they’ll be embarking on the Thursday-Sunday playing schedule every other week into December as well.

A Europa League play-off in August will be followed by group stage football in either that competition or the Europa Conference League.

Injuries and suspensions will inevitably happen, which means more numbers will be needed in maroon.

As many as seven more new faces could arrive in Gorgie before now and the end of the transfer window.

Chief executive Andrew McKinlay said recently that the cash boost from Europe could prove to be a transfer “game changer” for Hearts, explaining: “We will need to invest in a bigger squad. It won’t just be jersey-fillers, it has to be guys good enough for the team. Robbie has talked about a net increase of three, taking the squad up to 24.”

That leaves scope for Neilson and Savage to significantly strengthen, but where should they be focussing their efforts?

John Souttar ’s official unveiling as a Rangers player happened last week, but many Hearts fans had moved on as soon as the final whistle went on his Hearts career at Hampden last month.

With Craig Halkett and Stephen Kingsley both signing new, long-term deals last season, the blow of Souttar’s pre-contract was softened somewhat.

But he’ll still need replacing, especially if