Derek McInnes has hit out at the level of attention Kilmarnock winger Danny Armstrong has garnered over his future.
Armstrong has been a key player for Kilmarnock since signing in 2021 but will leave Rugby Park either this month or in the summer.
He refused to sign a new deal with Killie and McInnes is resigned to losing the 27-year-old, with Hearts in the front seat to secure his signature.
Hearts opened talks with Armstrong and his representatives earlier in January over a potential pre-contract arrangement.
Kilmarnock then rejected a transfer bid for Armstrong from an unnamed overseas club as he weighs up his next career step after a superb spell in Ayrshire.
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Kilmarnock expect Armstrong stay beyond January
With Hearts set to host Kilmarnock on Saturday afternoon, McInnes was naturally quizzed on the latest regarding Armstrong.
He confirmed the winger has not agreed a deal with any other club and expects the former Raith Rovers star to remain at Kilmarnock past the transfer deadline.
McInnes also criticised the increased focus on Armstrong when many other players in his squad are also out of contract in the summer.
“I love working with Danny and I have done since I’ve been here. I wanted that to continue”, McInnes said after being quizzed about the winger’s future.
“As far as I’m aware, he’s not signed with anyone else. So while there’s still a chance, we work towards that. I don’t see anything happening in January.
“He’s been a key player over the last couple of seasons and we hope he’s a key player for us in the run-in this season.
“Managers need to accept that when players are out of contract and we’ve got a load of boys in that situation they’ve got advisors and have aspirations to maybe look at other things.
“I’m totally comfortable with that and we should all be. We’ve got so many players out of contract, but the focus always seems to be on Danny, which is totally unfair.
“When a team like Kilmarnock finishes fourth in the league, there’s always reasons why that happened. Danny was a big part of that, so it’s just par for the course.”
Hearts transfer business so far
There is still time for Hearts if they wish to lure Armstrong to Tynecastle this month, even if McInnes thinks it is unlikely.
Jambos boss Neil Critchley wants a winger and the Gorgie club have also been engaged in talks over the potential signing of Islam Chesnokov from FC Tobol.
Hearts made their fourth signing of the window on Friday as midfielder Sander Kartum joined from Norwegian side SK Brann for £320k.
They kicked off the month with the loan addition of Elton Kabangu from Union Saint-Gilloise and followed that up with adding Jamie McCart from Rotherham.
Michael Steinwender was next as the towering centre-back arrived from IFK Värnamo before Critchley hinted on Friday that more outgoings are possible.