Neil Critchley has directly addressed the links surrounding Danny Armstrong and a potential move from Kilmarnock to Hearts.
Armstrong’s contract at Rugby Park will expire at the end of the season and Killie boss Derek McInnes has confirmed the winger will leave either in January or the summer.
A report recently linked Armstrong with a move to Hearts on a pre-contract deal, but McInnes has said the Jambos haven’t approached Kilmarnock or Armstrong for talks as of yet.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Hearts’ trip to Aberdeen at the weekend, Critchley was asked if Armstrong is a player he likes.
Critchley on Hearts-linked Armstrong
Critchley replied: “Look, I’m not going to talk about other clubs’ players.
“Of course, I’m aware of Danny Armstrong because he’s been at Kilmarnock and played in this league for a number of years and done very well.
“We want to improve our squad and we’ve identified areas of the pitch where we want to try and strengthen. But it would be wrong of me to talk about a Kilmarnock player.”
Hearts new contract discussions latest
Critchley was then quizzed on the status of player contract discussions at Tynecastle with seven players seeing their deals expire at the end of May.
These are veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon and his back-up stopper Zander Clark, strikers Liam Boyce and Lawrence Shankland, as well as midfielder Jorge Grant and winger Barrie McKay.
Critchley said: “We discuss that internally all the time about our plan and strategy moving the squad forward. But sometimes the players can do their talking for you on the pitch.
“They can answer the questions we are asking internally by training well and playing well. They will always have the option to change your mind or cement what you’re already thinking by how they train everyday and play.
“In January, we’re looking to strengthen but we’re also looking, as you do, further afield into the summer and hopefully in the next few months, the picture becomes clearer in what we’re wanting to do.”