(Photo by Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has confirmed that the Jambos has offered a new contract to Stephen Kingsley with the defender’s existing deal up in the summer – as the Tynecastle gaffer insisted that having players going into the final months of their deal puts them under pressure to perform.
Kingsley is one of a number of players who could leave the Gorgie side this summer if they don’t agree fresh terms and Neilson is hopeful they can get Kingsley tied up after a string of impressive performances this season.
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 26: Hearts Manager Robbie Neilson on the sidelines during the Scottish Championship match between Heart of Midlothian and Ayr United at Tynecastle Stadium on Decemeber 26, 2020, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images)
“We’ve put an offer to him,” Neilson confirmed. “Joe Savage is dealing with that and it’s coming back and forward as it always does.
“Hopefully we can get Stephen tied up because he has been one of our better players this season, and probably last season as well in terms of consistency.”
While Kingsley joins a host of Hearts stars nearing the end of their deals, like John Souttar, Craig Halkett and Craig Gordon, Neilson insists the onus is on them to perform.
Despite a belief from some that it can negatively affect players, Neilson disagrees and thinks that once they get long-term deals and the comfort that comes with it, then the “cigar comes out.”
“People always say going into the last year of their contract might affect them but in my experience it affects them for the good because they have to perform, whether it’s for a new contract here and for a contract somewhere else.
“So they have to perform.
“It’s the guys who sign the three, four and five year deals that you have to worry about because the tools can be downed and the cigar comes out sometimes.”
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