Hearts to sanction loan transfer deal and more departures could follow as club dig into alternate exit options
There could be more exits from Hearts after the transfer window.
Derek McInnes has confirmed Adam Forrester is set to return to St Johnstone on loan - and more exits could follow after the end to the transfer window.
The right-back was recalled from his co-operation loan at McDiarmid Park amid an injury to Christian Borchgrevink. Now he will head back to the Championship with Hearts’ incoming business set, and head coach McInnes admits he expected a couple others to move on from Hearts, as Musa Drammeh stood as the only departure on deadline day to Portuguese second tier side Torrense.
Alternative exits could now be sought for some players, as the goalkeeping department is also up for review down the line. Experienced stopper Alexander Schwolow was signed towards the end of the window as Craig Gordon and Ryan Fulton remain injured, with Zander Clark plus youngsters Liam McFarlane and Harry Stone also in situ.
Hearts transfer review
McInnes told Hearts TV: “Obviously we wish Musa well. I think that was something that he was longing for really, was to try and get to Portugal or Spain and he had a few options prior to that, but he decided against that. But we do wish him well.
“There were a few other things bubbling along in the last few days. A few inquiries here and there and notes of interest. So, we were expecting maybe one or two more to possibly go over the last couple of days. I think as a club, sometimes you can't make other teams come and get your players.
“You can try and be as cooperative as possible and try and make things happen. Ultimately, there's got to be a desire from a club out there who wants to really take your player and the player wanting to go. So, we thought we might have lost one or two more. But in terms of the additions, we're pleased with what we've done, and we work towards that. I think we’ve still got the option to maybe try and loan out a few players into the Championship.
Hearts star set for St Johnstone
“There's still a couple of windows open worldwide as well. Even though our window is closed in the UK. So we'll look at that. Adam Forrester will go back to St Johnstone now. We brought Adam back a couple of weeks ago, basically because we'd had a couple of inquiries about one or two of our defenders and we just decided to wait and let the window close before we make a decision on that.
“Christian Borchgrevink will hopefully be back in the next three weeks or so, three to four weeks. And we do think that it would be fair for Adam to go out now. And Adam's understanding all that.
“And a couple of the younger lads may well go out on loan too. Obviously, we've strengthened at goalkeeper, and we've got quite a few to choose from there when everyone's up to speed. So, we'll look at that opportunity as well."