Hearts have been extremely busy across the opening half of the January transfer window and more business is expected.
The Jambos kickstarted their first window supported by data firm Jamestown Analytics with the loan signing of Union Saint-Gilloise striker Elton Kabangu.
They followed that up with the permanent capture of defender Jamie McCart from Rotherham and have now agreed a fee with IFK Värnamo for Michael Steinwender.
In terms of outgoings, Liam Boyle left Hearts for Derry City while Andres Salazar’s loan from Atletico Nacional was terminated.
And Kye Rowles has finally sealed his move to MLS outfit DC United for a fee of £600k, which was first revealed to you by Not The Old Firm.
Neil Critchley, of course, is being tasked with making big decisions this month with regards to shaping his squad for the rest of the season.
But according to former Hearts midfielder Ryan Stevenson, the biggest call the manager will ever have to make at the Gorgie club awaits him in the summer.
Zander Clark to replace Craig Gordon as Hearts No.1 next season?
Zander Clark signed a new two-year contract with Hearts this week despite being linked with a sensational move to arch-rivals Hibs.
Clark is club’s backup goalkeeper to legend Craig Gordon – but the new deal has now cast doubt over the latter’s future.
Gordon is 42 and will see his own contract expire at the end of the season. Stevenson would like to see him stay on at Hearts, but only as backup to Clark.
And that is the extremely difficult decision, Stevenson says, that awaits Critchley in the summer – keep Gordon on the playing staff but demote him to No.2 behind Clark.
Writing in his Daily Record column, Stevenson said: “Hearts have just completed their biggest piece of January business – getting Zander Clark tied down for another two years.
“No new signing will be as important as sorting out the goalkeeping situation which was beginning to be a real concern heading into the summer.
“But Zander is the future between the sticks for Hearts and has to start next season as number one. Which – and this is not easy to say – might mean the end for Craig Gordon.
“There comes a time for everyone and this summer is the time for one of the toughest decisions Neil Critchley will ever have to make.
“By then Craig will be moving towards 43. His story has been remarkable. I’m certainly not going to suggest stopping it and retiring him altogether.
“I reckon it’s crucial the big man is kept in the building in way form or another as he is Mr Hearts and so important to the young guys as a role model.
“I’d give him a new deal. But he’d certainly be starting the season on the bench as a superb back up if things went wrong.
“Would he grumble? He probably would because he’s worked so hard to get back to top level. That’s why it’s such a hard decision.
“But Critchley has to do the right thing and for me that’s to make Zander number one again. It’s not just for Hearts but I see him as Craig’s successor for Scotland too.”
Craig Gordon was ‘keen’ on Hearts exit
Gordon is apparently 50/50 on what the future holds for him at Hearts with retirement not entirely ruled out yet.
His Jambos career could have actually ended last summer, however, when it was revealed by Ryan McGowan that Gordon was interested in a switch to St Johnstone under former boss Craig Levein.
McGowan, who won the Scottish Cup with Hearts in 2012, said: “I heard in the summer that he was a little but keen on going to St Johnstone. Obviously because Zander Clark was number one and Craig wanted to play.
“And having obviously worked with Craig Levein before, I was hearing strong whispers that was a viable option for St Johnstone.
“I don’t know how far down the road it went but I know that Craig was open to joining St Johnstone if that was to arise.”