Twelve Hearts players out of contract this season as expiry date of every deal is revealed

Twelve players at Tynecastle Park have contracts expiring this season.

Eleven permanent deals finish next summer, as does winger Josh Ginnelly’s loan from Preston North End.

Additionally, second-choice goalkeeper Ross Stewart is on loan from Livingston until January.

Those with permanent contracts expiring are defenders Michael Smith, Stephen Kingsley, Christophe Berra and Aidy White, midfielders Olly Lee, Andy Irving and Harry Cochrane, forwards Craig Wighton and Elliott Frear, plus keepers Zdenek Zlamal and Colin Doyle.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: New Hearts signing Josh Ginnelly warms up before a pre season friendly match between Hearts and East Fife at Tynecastle Stadium on September 18, 2020, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Many of the above have been involved with the first-team squad to varying degrees this season. A number can expect to be asked to discuss an extension later in the campaign, but some will be allowed to move on.

They are all entitled to discuss pre-contract agreements with other clubs in a matter of weeks but exactly who stays and who goes has yet to be decided.

Much will depend on Hearts’ finances for season 2021/22, by which time they hope to be back playing at the top level of Scottish football.

The Edinburgh club aim to win the Scottish Championship title this season and secure promotion back to the Premiership.

Player budgets cannot be finalised until their fate is known, and the first-team squad will likely be strengthened next summer if the stated aim is achieved.

Manager Robbie Neilson told the Evening News last month that he would like to sign Ginnelly permanently if possible.

The 23-year-old Englishman’s contract at Preston ends at the same time as his loan agreement next summer, rendering him a free agent. He has already declared an interest in staying on at Tynecastle Park after a strong start to the season.

Others such as Smith, Kingsley and Irving would be among the favourites to be kept on, provided terms can be agreed.

Club officials want to maintain a degree of squad continuity in future after several years of extensive and costly player turnover under previous managers.

Eight new faces arrived this year after Neilson returned to Tynecastle – goalkeepers Craig Gordon and Stewart, left-back Kingsley and centre-back Mihai Popescu, midfielder Andy Halliday, plus wingers Ginnelly, Jordan Roberts and Elliott Frear.

Kingsley and Frear signed one-year deals and the rest all committed their futures to Hearts for the next two seasons, with the obvious exception of the two loanees.

The recruitment plan centred around players who could not only operate in the Championship but also survive in the Premiership when the time comes.

Club captain Steven Naismith is one of six players with contracts stretching through to summer 2023. The others are Liam Boyce, Loic Damour, plus teenage prospects Cammy Logan, Connor Smith and Harry Stone.

HEARTS CONTRACT DETAILS

Expiring in January 2021: Ross Stewart (loan from Livingston)

Expiring in summer 2021: Michael Smith, Stephen Kingsley, Christophe Berra, Aidy White, Olly Lee, Andy Irving, Harry Cochrane, Craig Wighton, Elliott Frear, Zdenek Zlamal, Colin Doyle, Josh Ginnelly (loan from Preston)

Expiring in summer 2022: Craig Gordon, John Souttar, Peter Haring, Jamie Walker, Jordan Roberts, Andy Halliday, Craig Halkett, Mihai Popescu, Jamie Brandon, Lewis Moore, Euan Henderson, Scott McGill, Chris Hamilton

Expiring in summer 2023: Liam Boyce, Steven Naismith, Loic Damour, Cammy Logan, Connor Smith, Harry Stone.

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