The 16 Hearts players out of contract this summer and the priorities for new deals

No team in the Scottish football’s top flight has more players out of contract at the end of the season that Hearts, with 16 deals expiring this summer.
Hearts have 17 players out of contract at the end of the season.  (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)Hearts have 17 players out of contract at the end of the season.  (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
Hearts have 17 players out of contract at the end of the season. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The coming weeks and months are set to be a busy one for manager Robbie Neilson and sporting director Joe Savage as they notify those who don't have a future at the club, while doing all they can to ensure key stars remain at the club.

There has been speculation surrounding a couple of the players and with that in mind we look at the state of play of those 16 individuals with fewer than six months remaining on their deals.

The essential deals

Stephen Kingsley has been one of Hearts' best players this campaign. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)Stephen Kingsley has been one of Hearts' best players this campaign. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)
Stephen Kingsley has been one of Hearts' best players this campaign. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)
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Hearts fans entered a state of fear and panic on Wednesday when it was reported that clubs in England were waiting in the wings to swoop for Craig Gordon if he failed to agree a contract extension. While it is understandable the news prompted a degree of concern, supporters didn’t have to fret for long, the new deal announced on Gordon’s 39th birthday. The club’s record sale returned to his boyhood club in the summer of 2020 and is now in a position where he could be Scotland’s goalkeeper at next year’s World Cup. Gordon has been Hearts’ best player during that time, showing the importance of a competent goalkeeper. It would have been very surprising indeed if he didn’t finish his career at Tynecastle Park.

Aside from Gordon, the club’s most consistent performer has been Stephen Kingsley. The defender is a key component which makes the back three work effectively, capable of defending in wide areas and stepping out with the ball and joining attacks. Speaking earlier in the season, the 27-year-old enthused about being at Hearts and back in Scotland near family. Like Gordon, an extension would be cause for celebration amongst fans.

The one that is getting away

It is becoming increasingly apparent John Souttar’s future lies away from Gorgie. Reports this week suggest he is close to agreeing a pre-contract with an English club. Robbie Neilson, speaking at the weekend, said he was still hoping to convince the centre-back to stay but it looks unlikely with the player, who has had his injury issues, capable of earning a big contract south of the border. What is important now is keeping him at the club for the remainder of the season with the club not up for entertaining “mediocre” bids.

Peter Haring has shown his quality in midfield recently.  (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)Peter Haring has shown his quality in midfield recently.  (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)
Peter Haring has shown his quality in midfield recently. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)

Important trio

On the tier below Gordon and Kingsley, sit Craig Halkett, Michael Smith and Peter Haring.

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Halkett has had a very good season so far, showing his worth at the centre of a back three. He is one of the league’s most dominant players in the air. The club and player are keen to get a deal done and it would be a just reward for his influence on the campaign so far.

Smith will likely trigger a clause in his contract giving him another year soon, while Haring has reminded fans just how good a player he is of late. The Austrian is a fine passer of the ball and gives the team more direction than another other midfielder.

Euan Henderson and Jamie Walker are both out of contract. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)Euan Henderson and Jamie Walker are both out of contract. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)
Euan Henderson and Jamie Walker are both out of contract. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

Up in the air

Andy Halliday has been a useful signing since arriving at Hearts last season. His versatility has seen him play left-back, wing-back and in midfield. He doesn't fit into the profile the club are looking at for new signings. If he was to be kept on it would be to provide depth and experience.

Prior to scoring the winner at Dundee earlier this month, Jamie Walker seemed to be heading for the exit door with St Johnstone linked with a move. He has now featured in the last two games. Long-term it is hard to see his future being at Tynecastle but it could very much depend on who arrives in January and if he can have an impact in the second half of the season.

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Jamie Brandon has reportedly had his deal extended for the remainder of the season with a loan move on the card after returning from a long-term injury. It is unlikely, however, his contract will be extended beyond that.

Future elsewhere

It isn't revealtory to say that Armand Gnanduillet, Jordan Roberts and Mihai Popescu won't be contracted to Hearts beyond this season. In fact the French striker could in fact exit in January. He hasn't featured in the past two matches and has started just three league games all season. The Evening News reported that the club are willing to listen to offers for him. After a positive start to his Hearts career it simply hasn’t worked out. He struggled to get a look in ahead of Liam Boyce. It was hoped he would be a handful and provide the team with a different attacking dynamic but that has not transpired.

As for Roberts and Popescu, both are currently out on loan and way down the pecking order. The former, currently with Motherwell, has featured just once for the club since being replaced at half-time in a league game against Alloa Athletic back in January. As for Popescu, his last involvement before a switch to Hamilton was part of a B side in the SPFL Trust Trophy.

The young guns

Euan Henderson has had a very productive loan spell at Alloa, netting 11 goals in 15 appearances and is due back at Hearts in January. The 21-year-old would suit one of the wide forward positions in the 3-4-3 but a Championship loan with a view to exiting Tynecastle in the summer is perhaps more realistic.

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Chris Hamilton, Connor Smith and Scott McGill are all getting game time in loan spells but are at ages where you’d have expected them to be in and around the Hearts first-team.

Aidan Denholm, doing well on loan at Berwick Rangers, will still be a teenager come the end of the campaign and could well be handed another year to progress.

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