Neil Critchley will time Hearts contract talks for ultimate protection as Lawrence Shankland and others see deals tick down

With nine first-team players free to move on at the end of the season, Hearts boss Neil Critchley says he will know when the time is right to open up talks about new deals.

The Gorgie gaffer arrived on the scene too late to influence Lawrence Shankland’s contract negotiations, but he will be integral in deciding if there is a future at Tynecastle for the likes of Scotland keepers Craig Gordon and Zander Clark, as well as Barrie McKay, Liam Boyce and Jorge Grant, who have tumbled down the pecking order.

Youngster James Wilson, who made his first start in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Dundee, is another in need of a new contract, while decisions will have to be made over loan signings Gerald Taylor and Andres Salazar as the season progresses, with the club enjoying the option to buy both, if desired. Asked if he would prefer to see more done to keep his captain Shankland, who ended his scoring drought at the weekend, Critchley said that was between the player and the board, with his mind focused on other things as the games come thick and fast.

“Everyone's fully aware that his contract's running down and he'll be out of contract in the summer,” said the man who is looking to wrap up European progress with a win against Copenhagen on Thursday. “I know there were talks prior to me being here but obviously I've just been concentrating on trying to help Lawrence to find the form [he showed] in the last couple of seasons.

“That's my main focus at the moment and he's the captain of the team. He's been playing up to the penalty area and he's been playing very well and contributing, he's just missed that final little bit. I think it's gone on slightly longer this year but he hasn't scored many goals at a similar period of last season.