The 5 Championship stars who could interest Hearts

There are players to be sought, bargains to be had and rough gems waiting to be polished in the Scottish Championship.

Dylan Tait is highly thought of at Raith Rovers. Picture: SNS

Over the last few seasons, no player has highlighted that more than Lyndon Dykes. A striker who didn’t score many goals and seemed to do the donkey work for Stephen Dobbie at Queen of the South, he was subsequently picked up by Livingston.

The forward not only helped elevate Livi, but his own career was transformed. He is now starring in the English Championship after taking the Scottish top-flight by storm. Moreover, he is a national hero following his performances for the Scotland national team.

Hearts fans will know there are players in the league who could be useful additions having now played the other nine teams, whether it is in the Scotland’s second tier or Betfred Cup.

We look at some of the best young talent the division has to offer:

Dylan Tait – Raith Rovers

The latest hugely talented youngster to come to prominence at Stark’s Park. At the start of last year it was announced Fulham had signed young striker Kieron Bowie and there is an expectation that it is only a matter of time before Tait follows suit and departs.

Raith secured their position on the player last month by tying him down to a new deal until 2024 and there is understandable excitement about him.

Inverness CT ace Roddy MacGregor has been a consistent presence at the heart of the midfield. Picture: SNS

The 19-year-old possesses great balance and promising vision. He already has a trademark pass, clipping the ball over the top of defence for a forward or midfield runner. He has produced two of the best assists so far this campaign in wins against Arbroath and Queen of the South.

Tait is someone with potential and has shown his capability and composure with the ball at his feet.

Roddy MacGregor – Inverness CT

The 19-year-old midfielder is a key member of John Robertson’s side. He has taken big strides in his development in recent months, emerging as one of the faces of a new-look Inverness after graduating from the club’s youth academy. He has already started more times in the league in the first nine games of this campaign as he did in the entirety of last season.

Kyle Turner put in a brilliant individual conformance against Hearts earlier this season. Picture: SNS

His best performance was the 3-0 win over Queen of the South, where he scored a wonderful goal and set one up for Myles Storey. His eye-catching strike stole the headlines, but it was his quietly effective midfield display alongside Scott Allardice which should be regarded as noteworthy.

The No.10 role is his preferred position, but playing deeper has allowed Inverness to make better use of his forward-thinking and proclivity to play quick passes. One aspect of his game which is so promising is his willingness to get on the ball regardless of the area on the pitch. He is someone with a big future.

Kyle Turner – Dunfermline Athletic

Hearts fans were exposed to the Dunfermline midfielder when the Pars defeated the Championship league leaders 2-1 in November. Turner, along with team-mate Kerr McInroy, harried, hurried and hunted Robbie Neilson’s side in front of the BBC Scotland cameras.

John McGlynn pulled of a shrewd signing with the addition of Frankie Musonda from non-league. Picture: SNS

The 23-year-old was everything the Hearts midfield wasn’t: combative, aggressive, dynamic and direct.

Within the first 20 seconds of the match he was pressing Craig Halkett deep in the visitors’ half. In the 14th minute he chased a lost cause and forced Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon to pass the ball out for a corner.

He is a pressing machine, the type of attitude which would be appreciated by the Hearts support. He plays with little respect for opponents, wants to run forward and leaves everything out on the pitch.

It was clear in the defeat to Dundee that the team lacked a certain dynamism. Turner would add to that.

Frankie Musonda – Raith Rovers

John McGlynn made one of the most underrated signings in the summer when he recruited Musonda on a free contract after being released by Championship outfit Luton Town. However, he had most recently been playing his football in the National League South, the sixth tier of English football.

Robbie Deas signed a three-year deal with ICT in the summer. Picture: SNS

The 23-year-old consulted Hearts midfielder Olly Lee before making the move north.

Musonda is not what you expect from a player whose experience is mostly non-league football. When this writer first watched him, it was as a left-back. What stood out was his ability with both feet – it was hard to decipher which one could be deemed the strongest.

In addition, he possessed an impressive presence, strong build, tall and athletic. On the ball he was calm and composed.

However, he is naturally a centre-back and has impressed Rovers fans with his performances in the centre. He has recorded one of the better success rates in the air, while he allows the Kirkcaldy side to build from the back with his ability on the ball.

Robbie Deas – Inverness CT

MacGregor isn’t the only promising talent working under John Robertson. Left-back Cameron Harper has been hugely impressive – in a defensive and attacking sense – while there is also on-loan Rangers winger Kai Kennedy, perhaps the most exciting teenager in the league. Then there is Robbie Deas, the 20-year-old centre-back who signed a three-year deal in the summer.

When he was recruited from Celtic, after spending last season with Alloa Athletic, it was widely regarded as a smart move. It has turned out to be true.

Deas has spoken of the more experienced defenders helping him settle, but there can be no debate as to who the most competent defender at the club is. Strong and athletic, he is adept at blocking shots, reading the game and he can play from the back with booming passes.

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