Blair Spittal, Yan Dhanda and James Penrice have all already agreed to join the Jambos on pre-contracts
The ‘best of the rest’ signing is a strategy that has proven successful for Hearts previously.
After recruiting players like Neil McCann (Dundee), Colin Cameron (Raith Rovers), and David Weir (Falkirk), among others, and combining them into a strong squad with the Jambos’ own academy products, Jim Jefferies delivered the Scottish Cup in 1998, their first in forty-two years at the time.
Though Paulo Sergio was in control by then, he took a same approach in 2011 when he brought in Danny Grainger, Jamie Hamill, John Sutton, and Mehdi Taouil. That team also won the cup. Hearts had already signed free agents Ian Black, Darren Barr, and Kevin Kyle from rival Scottish teams, proving that their strategy was effective.
It’s possible that Steven Naismith is following the same path, or perhaps the one that brought him from Kilmarnock to the Rangers during his playing career. As early preparations are made for the upcoming season, he has signed Ross County’s Yan Dhanda, Blair Spittal of Motherwell, and James Penrice of Livingston.
Perhaps that’s where he ends up, but there’s a good chance he’ll be eyeing additional freebies from the league. Here are some possible choices if he is.
Daniel Phillips
The Trinidad and Tobago midfielder is unlikely to stay at St Johnstone, as Craig Levein has already acknowledged. Though Hearts may have a nibble, as they have with Spittal, Dhanda, and Penrice, England may beckon.
Connor Barron
Possibly ambitious as there have been links with Celtic and Rangers and teams in England have probably taken notice too, but you never know.
Callum Slattery
Currently out with a long-term injury but has impressed prior to that and is a club mate of Spittal’s at Motherwell.
Joel Nouble
Been strongly linked with the Jambos in the past and while he has been off the boil at times this season, has started to show his quality again. Would provide a different option up front.
