Hearts player ready for contract talks with future 'up in the air' as he names his ideal Tynecastle scenario
The defender has spent time away from Hearts during the course of this season.
Lewis Neilson would love to sign a new deal at Hearts and play every week - but he’s realistic on his situation with his contract coming to an end.
The central defender has spent this season on loan at Falkirk, who’ve impressed under ex-Jambos boss John McGlynn, securing a top six spot after winning the Championship last year. Neilson joined Hearts in 2022 from Dundee United and has made 23 appearances, still only 22, but what comes next is unknown. No talks have been held with his parent club as yet amid their pursuit of the Premiership title.
Neilson wouldn’t be against penning a new deal at Hearts and admits thoughts of the future have started to creep in with the season drawing to a close. He is certain that those discussions with the Tynecastle side will come in the weeks ahead.
What Hearts player is out of contract this summer?
He said: “It’s still completely up in the air, I’ve not really spoken to Hearts too much. I think they’ve got a lot on their mind at the minute obviously going for the league so I’ll let them off with that one! But I’ve not really spoken to them. The last I heard was about contracts was when I was injured and it was let’s get you back playing and then we’ll discuss.
“I just want to finish the season as strongly as possible and then I’m sure these conversations will come. I’m not too sure the centre-halves at Hearts, what their contractual situation is. I know Craig Halkett and Stuart Findlay are on long-term deals so it’s going to be a lot of competition if I am there. We’ll just wait and see on that one.
“It’s all a bit new to me but I’m trying not to think about it too much, trying to just focus on the games and then let the football deal with what happens in the summer. There’s that little bit of anxiety sometimes that creeps in but I just remind myself that if I’m doing the right things, if I’m maybe back in the team now and can play games before the end of the season and do well, then there won’t be any issues come summer time.
Lewis Neilson on future at Hearts
“It’d almost be comfortable to stay at Hearts and then maybe try to break in and maybe get put back out on loan again. I feel that’s what I’ve done the last few seasons. Don’t get me wrong if I could sign a deal at Hearts and play every week then that’s perfect. But you also have to be a little bit realistic.
“I feel I could be good enough to go and do that but that’s not always the case in football so I need somewhere that’s going to be a home that I’m going to play every week and just take it from there. I think the difference I’ve felt this season is I belong here and I belong playing in the Premiership, I belong playing top-level football. Rather, in seasons before I felt like I was still that young boy that needs to prove himself and don’t get me wrong, you always have to prove yourself and that’ll always be the case throughout my career.
“But I feel now more comfortable that I belong, I can start leading a bit more, I can start speaking around the park and I think that’s 100 per cent came from watching boys like Liam Henderson who’s had an incredible season and learning off Coll Donaldson, even though he has been missing for a lot of the season. Just hearing them off the pitch as well and that togetherness, I’ve learned a lot this season and I definitely feel like I’m a better player for it.”
The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly