The one Hearts star who deserves a new deal and one who ‘many, many’ clubs will be looking at

The one Hearts star who deserves a new deal and one who ‘many, many’ clubs will be looking at

 

The Jambos have several out-of-contract players available for pre-contract deals with other Premiership clubs or elsewhere ahead of the upcoming season.

Barrie McKay is scheduled to leave in January. However, Liam Boyce and Jorge Grant have re-entered the Hearts XI and are performing well. Their contracts may be extended.

The goalkeeping situation is fascinating.

Craig Gordon, a club veteran, was the understudy to Zander Clark last season but replaced him earlier this season and has since maintained his position.

Both are out of contract in the summer, and manager Neil Critchley has previously addressed the subject with them.

Gordon, 42, is uncertain about his future with Hearts and may contemplate retiring internationally.

Some fans believe he is past his prime, citing proof of a mistake at Ross County, and there is dispute over whether he should be awarded a new contract.

Michael Stewart believes there is no question. He insists Gordon has not gone backwards and that he will immediately hand him a contract.

“I wouldn’t even hesitate,” he said at the Premier Sports Social Club. “His reflexes and reactions have not decreased.

“Craig has never been good at cross balls or kicking. They’ve never been so important to his game that you’d say, ‘Oh, he’s fantastic at cross balls and with the ball at his feet.’

“And, by the way, I wouldn’t look at things in the last six months and say he’s had a lot of howlers with cross balls and the ball at his feet.”

“After Ross County, he received a lot of criticism for his score in the 99th minute. But see the ball in the box? I don’t think you can have a bad go at him.

“He does not know. He has a defender.

“If you’re someone who assesses the issue and understands the game, you’re not caught up in the emotion of ‘we just lost a 99th-minute goal, it’s his fault, I’m not handing him a new contract.

“You look at the fundamentals and say, ‘Actually, he’s not done anything wrong there.

“His responses and reflexes have not slowed at all. Without a doubt, he is getting a new contract.”

James Penrice, a Hearts player, is one who other clubs may be interested in.

The flying left-back is on fire right now and is widely regarded as the Jambos’ greatest player this season after joining on a free transfer from Livingston.

Stewart, who was asked if “many, many clubs” will be looking at Penrice, believes he should target the Scotland squad and is sure to attract interest from elsewhere.

“I’d imagine so, absolutely,” he answered. “He’s doing really well, and he really stands out.

“He’s definitely the star performer for Hearts so far this season.

“If he keeps playing like that, even if left-back is clearly a strong position for the national team, he’ll be pounding on the door.

“And I would imagine there will be clubs potentially sniffing about as well.”

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