Hearts fans would have been interested by a report linking one of their most important players with a move away from the club.
West London Sport reported that both QPR and Celtic were interested in signing Tynecastle striker Uche Ikpeazu, and that Wigan, Bristol City and Derby had scouted the player.
The Hearts support and Craig Levein will both be hoping that the player does not move on from Tynecastle any time soon.
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He is too important a player to be sold in January. He makes a difference to the Hearts side when he is fit. Ikpeazu might not score a lot of goals. However, his all round game can be very effective.
Derby performance changed game
This was shown most recently in Hearts’ 2-1 win over Hibs at Easter Road. The Hibs defence couldn’t cope with Ikpeazu. He turned the game on its head with a fine equalising goal to bring Hearts back into the game.
That goal is what Ikpeazu is all about. He got the ball with his back to goal, held off a defender, and his deft finish found the back of the net.
(Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Hearts would miss that kind of skill should Ikpeazu depart. They find it hard enough to replace when the player is injured.
No need to sell player
The player’s contract runs until 2022, so Hearts have no need to sell the player. In fact, he is a player that the team should be build around.
However, should the Tynecastle side’s recent struggles continue, then Ikpeazu may feel that the time is right to move on from Hearts.
(Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Craig Levein will hope that isn’t the case though. As Hearts’ players slowly return to fitness, the team’s results should improve.
Ikpeazu can add to that, as when he is fit, on his day he can be unplayable. That is why it is no shock to see so many teams interested in signing him.