Hearts are accelerating their transfer plans as they bid to get out of the mess they find themselves in.
Elton Kabangu became the first Hearts signing of the January transfer window when he joined on loan from Union Saint-Gilloise, the Jambos wasting little time after the opening of the window.
They desperately need pace in attack and more goal threat and will hope the speedy Belgian frontman, who can also play wide, will provide that.
It is unlikely they will stop there and Hull City winger Ryan Longman is the latest player to be linked.
However, reinforcements are also needed at the other end of the pitch.
Neil Critchley’s side have been poor at the back and have also now lost Stephen Kingsley and Frankie Kent to injury, potentially both for the season.
So they need centre-backs and Hearts have been linked with Rotherham’s Jamie McCart. There has now been movement on that front.
Hearts to sign McCart
It was reported that the Jambos were weighing up making a move for McCart this month or waiting to see if they could get him on a pre-contract for next season.
Rotherham reportedly held an option for an extra year but it wasn’t known if they would take it up.
Now, the Edinburgh Evening News is reporting that the 27-year-old has in fact signed a pre-contract to move to Tynecastle in the summer.
However, bodies are needed now and the report adds Hearts will try to strike a deal to take McCart north in this window.
It remains to be seen if Rotherham are open to agreeing a few but it appears that will be the intention of Jambos chiefs.
McCart will stay with his current club for the next match against Huddersfield but Hearts hope to bring him up after that.
Hearts must sign McCart now
Hearts really need to do all they can to sign the left-sided centre half now.
Craig Halkett, Kye Rowles and Daniel Oyegoke are their centre half options and the latter is also needed at right back.
They need bodies in this month and the summer is no good with a real fight still on their hands.
With uncertainty over Rowles’ future, it’s no exaggeration to say three new faces might potentially be required.
If McCart ends up not coming until the summer, some loans may do but that would be far from ideal.