Hearts 'could hijack' Aberdeen's plans to sign St Johnstone winger Matty Kennedy

St Johnstone winger Matty Kennedy is a target for Hearts despite Aberdeen's interest

Hearts will attempt to hijack Aberdeen's attempts to sign St Johnstone winger Matty Kennedy, according to reports.

The Pittodrie side were hopeful of securing the attacker on a pre-contract deal but The Sun claims the Capital club will also table an offer for the former Hibs wideman with a view to scuppering the Dons' plans.

Hearts recruitment chief John Murray and former Tynecastle No.2 Austin MacPhee have alerted boss Daniel Stendel to the 25-year-old's abilities. The latter knows Kennedy well having worked with him on the international scene.

Kennedy, who started his career at Kilmarnock before stints at Everton, Tranmere, MK Dons, Hibs, Cardiff City, Port Vale, Plymouth and Portsmouth, has hit 12 goals and seven assists in 62 appearances for the McDiarmid Park side. Mostly played as a winger, he has also been deployed as a second striker and centre-forward on occasion.

Aberdeen are understood to be keen on trying for a move this month and had looked to be in the driving seat for the winger's signature. But Hearts could submit a counter-offer to usurp the Pittodrie side as Stendel looks to revamp his squad in the January window.