Scott Fraser Hearts transfer timeline is fluid as Steven Naismith vows to stay on Charlton man's trail

Steven Naismith still hopes to land Scott Fraser before the close of the transfer window. But the Hearts gaffer admits he’ll stay on the Charlton midfielder’s trail even if he can’t beat this month’s deadline.

Fraser’s proposed loan move to Tynecastle is currently on hold as Athletic hunt a successor for axed boss Michael Appleton. But Naismith is prepared to be patient on the 28-year-old, who remains in Scotland hoping the switch can happen before this window ends. The Hearts boss said: “It’s not a reactive one, we’ve identified him as someone we were interested in last summer, he’s one we can bring in short-term and, hopefully, longer term.

“Charlton are changing manager, which is making things much more difficult and awkward. That’ll run as long as it does. Our hope is still we can sign him before the end of the window. If it happens now, great. If it doesn’t, we’ll see what happens in the summer.

“It’s not one where we’re thinking: If we don’t get him signed by tomorrow, it’s not happening. That’s just going to lead to conflict.

“He’s at a really good age, he’s got great quality in the final third in terms of goals and assists. We’re a bit immature at the top end. If we don’t get him, do we look for someone else? We won’t be reactive.

“If there’s somebody there that maybe is in the longer terms we can do, we’ll maybe try. But I’m comfortable with the squad we’ve got.”

Lawrence Shankland hasn’t signed an offer at this stage, but Hearts added Craig Halkett to their renewed-contract list this week and Naismith expects more to follow. He said: “In general clubs aren’t the best in rewarding players at the right times. Players get the raw end of the deal in terms of contracts running down.

“We need to be in a position of