rewrite this title Hearts transfer news: Neil Critchley on futures of Kye Rowles and Lawrence Shankland, plus interest in Daniel Armstrong

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley is expecting to add more players to his squad this January but has admitted he may lose defender Kye Rowles.

MLS club DC United have shown interest in the Australia 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 do teammates Craig Gordon, Zander Clark, Barrie McKay, Liam Boyce and Jorge Grant.

Sunday 12th January 2:30pm


Kick off 3:00pm

The Tynecastle club have already been busy this window, securing the permanent signing of ex-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 told Sky Sports News…

Could Rowles depart?

“Yes, there has (been interest).

“In January, you’re always looking to bring players in, but you always have to be ready for ‘what if’ scenarios and people are quite entitled to come in and bid or negotiate with your players.

“Kye’s been fantastic, he’s played virtually every minute since I’ve been here and quite rightly, he would attract suitors from elsewhere.

“We’re not looking to lose him but, in this day and age, every player has a price.”

Will there be more departures?

“We discuss that internally about our strategy and our plan of moving the club forward. Sometimes the players can do their talking for you on the pitch, they can answer the questions that we’re asking internally by training well and playing well.

“They always have the option to change your mind or cement what you’re already thinking by how they train every day and how they play.

“In January, we’re looking to strengthen, but we’re also looking further afield to the summer and hopefully in the next few months the picture becomes clearer in terms of what we’re wanting to do.

“It’s been well publicised about (Lawrence) Shankland’s contract situation, all I can say is that 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 delighted he’s here. For as long as that continues then I’m happy.”

Do you expect more signings?

“Any head coach would tell you they’re always looking to try to improve the team and we’re no different.

“We’ve done a great little bit of business at the start of the window which has been helpful. I’d still be surprised if the squad was the same come the end of January.

“I’m not going to talk about other club’s players. Of course, I’m aware of Danny Armstrong because he’s been at Kilmarnock and played in this league for a number of years and done 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?

“He’s been granted his work permit so he’s eligible to play. He’s here and training with us so he’ll come into contention for the squad for the weekend.

“He’ll bring a different dimension to our front line. Mobility, athleticism, the ability to stretch the line and he’s a goal scorer.

“I think he’ll add something different to what we’ve got at the top end of the pitch. But last couple of games we’ve been in good form and won a couple of games, so he’s also got a fight on his hands to get in the team.”