Hearts agree terms with new sporting director

Hearts are ready to appoint a new sporting director.

Talks between Savage and Tynecastle officials reached a conclusion and he is expected to start his new role ahead of the January transfer window.

He will be tasked with overseeing the football operation at Riccarton, specifically focusing on player recruitment. He was head of recruitment and scouting at Preston and will work closely in those areas at Hearts.

The 36-year-old from Bellshill was one of the names Southampton considered for their sporting director vacancy last year after Ross Wilson joined Rangers.

He remained at Deepdale but his departure was officially announced in a statement on Friday. Hearts have admired his work since he joined Preston in 2017.

Savage’s arrival will allow them to utilise his network of contracts at all levels of English football.

A former player at East Stirling, Arbroath, Stenhousemuir and Berwick Rangers, Savage first worked with Alex Neil at Hamilton Academical and followed him south to Norwich City and then Preston.

He is keen to work in a sporting director capacity and will help Hearts with their plan to bring in at least two players during January.

A winger and a striker are top of the priority list ahead of the summer window, which will become crucial if the club gain promotion to the Scottish Premiership.

Jim Jefferies has been assisting Hearts as a part-time consultant in a short-term arrangement which is up for review at the end of the year.

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