Hearts boss Neil Critchley expects to add more players to his squad this January but admitted he could miss out on defender Kye Rowles.
MLS club DC United have shown interest in the Australian international, who joined the Jambos in 2022 from Central Coast Mariners.
The future of captain Lawrence Shankland is also unclear as the Scotland striker enters the final six months of his contract. as are teammates Craig Gordon, Zander Clark, Barrie McKay, Liam Boyce and Jorge Grant.
Sunday, January 12, 2:30 p.m
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The Tynecastle club have already been busy this window, securing the permanent signing of former St Johnstone defender Jamie McCart and adding Elton Kabangu on loan from Union Saint-Gilloise. But what does the rest of the window hold for the club? Here’s what Critchley said Sky Sports News…
Could Rawls leave?
Hearts’ Kye Rowles is wanted by MLS side DC United
“Yes, there has been (interest).
“In January, you’re always looking to bring in players, but you always have to be prepared for ‘what if’ scenarios and people have the right to come in and make offers or negotiate with your players.
“Kye has been fantastic, he’s played almost every minute since I’ve been here and quite rightly, he would attract suitors from elsewhere.
We are not looking to lose him, but in this day and age, every player has a price.”
Will there be more departures?
Laurence Shankland is currently injured and out of contract at the end of this season
“We are discussing it internally for our strategy and our plan to take the club forward. Sometimes the players can speak for you on the pitch, they can answer the questions we ask internally by training well and playing well.
“They always have the option to change your mind or reinforce what you already think with how they train every day and how they play.
“In January, we are looking to strengthen, but we are also looking further into the summer and hopefully in the coming months the picture will become clearer in terms of what we want to do.
“It’s been well publicized about (Lawrence) Shankland’s contract situation, all I can say is he’s the captain here and he’s been brilliant in my time here.
“He’s given everything for the team, he leads by example, and I’m happy he’s here. As long as this continues, I’m happy.”
Are you expecting more signatures?
Daniel Armstrong will leave Kilmarnock on a free in the summer, but could Hearts move for the player?
“Any coach would tell you that he is always trying to improve the team and we are no different.
“We’ve done a really good job at the start of the window, which has been helpful. I’d still be surprised if the team was the same at the end of January.
“I’m not going to talk about players from other clubs. Of course, I know Danny Armstrong because he was at Kilmarnock and played in that league for a number of years and did very well.
“We want to improve our squad, we’ve identified areas of the pitch that we want to try and strengthen, but it would be wrong of me to talk about a Kilmarnock player.”
Could Kabangu feature against Aberdeen?
Elton Kambangu was Hearts’ first signing in January
“He was given a work permit so he could play. He is here training with us so he can claim the squad for the weekend.
“He will bring a different dimension to our front line. Mobility, athleticism, ability to stretch the line and is a scorer.
“I think he’ll add something different to what we have at the top of the pitch. But the last couple of games we’ve been in good form and won a few games, so he’s also got a fight on his hands to get into the team.”
