Gary Mackay insists Daniel Stendel must be in total control of Hearts ’ transfer drive this month.
The German faces a crucial winter window as he looks to turn around the Jambos’ fortunes and drag them away from the drop zone.
The previous management team of Craig Levein and Austin MacPhee have been working in the background in a joint sporting director role.
And MacPhee has already been in touch with Lafferty’s representatives.
But Mackay insists the previous “failed regime” should not be driving the recruitment policy.
The Tynecastle legend said: “I hope and pray that Stendel is the one who okays any transfer in or out.
“He looks a very strong individual. If he is being told, ‘This is who you are signing’ then that would really ring alarm bells.
“It would make me wonder if the people who are still in the background are not that concerned if the new guy fails because they had previously failed.
“Austin MacPhee is very articulate, I like him. But somewhere along the line there has to be a regime change.
"Stendel has to have a chance to work with people he trusts.
"If Austin is involved and the targets are being identified by the manager or okayed by him then I can live with that. But if there’s any doubt in the manager’s mind then the transfer shouldn’t happen.”
