Hearts have right-back target as Robbie Neilson responds to Stuart Findlay speculation

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has revealed the club have their eyes on a right-back.

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has a right-back target. Picture: SNS

The Championship league leaders are able to still bring players on loan from Premiership clubs.

With Jamie Brandon out for the remainder of the season and Cammy Logan on loan at Cove Rangers it has left Neilson with just Michael Smith.

"We're trying to get one in,” he said. "We need to get some cover there.

"There’s one that we’re looking at and we're just waiting to hear from his parent club whether we can get him in or not."

Kilmarnock defender Stuart Findlay, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is believed to be a summer target on a pre-contract agreement.

Neilson refused to be drawn on individual players but admitted the club are looking ahead to the summer.

"I'm not going to speak about guys who are at different teams and under contract.

Stuart Findlay is a reported target for Hearts. Picture: SNS

"There's a number of players that we're looking at who are coming out of contract. In Scotland and England there's a market we can get them in so [sporting director] Joe Savage and myself have been speaking regularly about players that are available.

"We've got players out of contract and areas we need to strengthen so it would be folly for us not to look at the market just now to try and get things lined up."

Ginnelly and Irving

One of those players is Andy Irving with negotiations over a new contract ongoing.

“Joe and I had another conversation with his agent on Wednesday to try and move things forward,” Neilson said.

Meanwhile, Josh Ginnelly has responded well to a hamstring operation. The on-loan winger won’t play for the club again this season but will remain at the club.

"He’s great,” Neilson said. “The operation went very, very well.

"This first month is just about resting and making sure he doesn't do too much. he's champing at the bit to get back in with the players but we're holding him back just now.

"We got the best surgeon to operate on him to give him the best chance to get back.”

"We wanted to keep him here because he's a great character to have about. He’s got great enthusiasm, he's enjoying himself here and he's still got a lot to add to the group."

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