Michael Stewart has advocated Hearts go after Kilmarnock star Danny Armstrong because he would represent ‘good value’ for the Edinburgh giants.
The Jambos have recruited well over the summer and have a first-team squad most other sides in the Scottish Premiership could only dream of possessing.
Steven Naismith has made 10 new signings – the latest being Andres Salazar from Atletico Nacional on loan – so far with just a week left of the summer transfer window remaining.
And BBC Sportsound pundit Stewart, who wore the maroon jersey across two spells between 2004 and 2010, thinks the Jambos shouldn’t be wrapping up their business just yet.
Danny Armstrong’s future uncertain
Michael Stewart hinted that he’d like to see his former employers sign Killie winger Armstrong, who is in the final year of his Rugby Park contract.
Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes stated earlier in the summer that talks had failed to progress with Armstrong as the club aimed to tie him down on a fresh deal.
It’s extremely likely Armstrong – who has been linked with Bolton Wanderers – will leave Kilmarnock next summer but there is still a possibility he could leave Ayrshire before next Friday.
Stewart admits he would be all for Hearts trying to strike a deal with Kilmarnock for Armstrong and stated these are the kind of players the Jambos should be targeting, with a view to then sell them on for ‘millions’.
Stewart on Armstrong to Hearts
The discussion was had live on BBC Sportsound on Thursday evening after Hearts and Killie both lost in Europe to Viktoria Plzen and FC Copenhagen respectively.
Cammy Bell initially pointed out: “Danny Armstrong is going into the last year of his contract, I think he’s probably made it clear to Killie that he’s not going to stay or wants to extend it.
Stewart then interjected by simply stating: “Hearts.”
Bell continued: “Yes, that’s one I mentioned off air. Would Hearts be interested in him and give them a different dimension?
Stewart explained: “Well there was a lot of talk last season and I think Joe Savage even came out and spoke about Danny Armstrong.
“There was a lot of pressure from fans and he was talking about figures potentially for Danny Armstrong, I don’t know where he pulled them from.
“But the point is, Hibs are in for Luke McCowan and they’re talking £750k or whatever. Those sorts of sums, that for me is good value because these are guys that if they go on to a Hearts or Hibs, you’re talking about millions for them and you’ve got a quality player at the time.
“So speculating a bit to potentially accumulate and those guys are quality players. McCowan, Armstrong, they would walk into the Hearts side – walk in and make them better.”
Neil McCann then said: “Danny Armstrong would be a good shout but I think Derek McInnes and the Kilmarnock fans in particular won’t be enjoying that comment!”