Ryan Stevenson reckons Hearts should try and offload Barrie McKay and Yutaro Oda this month if suitable offers are lodged.
Wingers McKay and Oda’s futures may be under threat as the pair fail to earn regular game time under Hearts boss Neil Critchley.
McKay hasn’t played since the defeat to Cercle Brugge in November while Oda hasn’t made four of the last five Premiership matchday squads.
It is clear they are going to feature in Critchley’s central plans for the rest of the season, but the Hearts boss did not rule any eventuality out.
Hearts are seeking a new wide man this month and the club have entered into talks with Kilmarnock winger Danny Armstrong who is out of contract in the summer.
And Stevenson thinks McKay and Oda can be let go if offers for the pair arrive.
Ryan Stevenson says Hearts can sell Barrie McKay & Yutaro Oda
Writing in his Daily Record column, Stevenson said: “So there’s four or five signings needed in total in January. It’s a big job. But it’s absolutely required.
“Out the way I’d say ‘thanks and see you later’ to Barrie McKay and Yutaro Oda if offers came in. Both have dropped right out of the equation under Critchley.
“Two years ago we were sitting singing McKay’s praises after his form in Gorgie was rewarded with a Scotland call-up. I thought that could be the turning point in his career.
“Every player has that point where it swings one way or the other and Barrie needed a positive swing after he had enjoyed good starts at Rangers and down south before fading away.
“But the exact same thing has happened at Tynecastle. It’s a shame because on his game he is a fantastic player. But he’s just not produced enough for Hearts over the course.”
Big month for Graeme Jones at Hearts
Stevenson also touched on new Hearts sporting director Graeme Jones and reckons the January window is a huge for him to prove his salt.
The former Hearts star continued: “Winning their last two games is a huge boost and has moved them right up the form table. But right now that’s just a sticking plaster covering massive holes in the squad.
“Critchley must have gone through December thinking if he doesn’t get bodies in during the first week of January he could be in serious trouble.
“They’ve done that with two signings that have galvanised the squad and also shown the fans that they are on the ball. But they need more.
“It’s not just the manager who should be under scrutiny though, this is a huge window for new sporting director Graeme Jones to show his worth.
“The jury is out on the whole recruitment process. Supercomputer or no supercomputer. And if I was manager right now I’d be targeting players that I know and can trust because if they don’t sign well it won’t be Jones losing his job – it will be Critchley.
“I’d sure as hell not be putting my fate in someone else’s hands.”