Hearts keen to sign Aberdeen defender Shay Logan on loan

Hearts are interested in signing the Aberdeen defender Shay Logan on loan for the final five games of the season.

Aberdeen's Shay Logan is wanted by Hearts.

Management at Tynecastle Park want to reinforce their defence after error-strewn defeats against Brora Rangers and Queen of the South in the last week.

Logan, 33, is seen as an experienced option on a short-term loan. He can play right-back or right wing-back, allowing Hearts to change from a back four to a back three if desired.

Michael Smith is the Edinburgh club’s established right-back but he can also play in central defence, midfield or at left-back. He missed Hearts’ last two matches as he is on international duty with Northern Ireland.

Logan is out of favour at Aberdeen where his contract expires this summer. He hasn't started a match since the 4-0 loss at Rangers on November 22 and could leave now if a deal is agreed.

Hearts can bring him in at any point before Thursday after the Scottish Professional Football League extended the loan window for leagues below the Premiership.

It was initially due to close at the end of February but the SPFL changed that deadline to March 31 to help League One and League Two teams as their campaign restarted.

Brora knocked Hearts out of the Scottish Cup at Dudgeon Park last Tuesday and Queen of the South won in Gorgie in the league on Saturday. That increased pressure on Tynecastle manager Robbie Neilson and owner Ann Budge.

Hearts remain 13 points ahead at the top of the Championship and are close to automatic promotion. However, they want to shore up their back line to win the title as soon as possible.

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