Robbie Neilson has revealed Hearts will prioritise pace when making new signings.
Josh Ginnelly’s introduction at half-time against Celtic gave the visitors a different dimension in attack and caused the hosts problems, although Ange Postecoglou’s team ran out 3-2 winners in the end.
And Neilson admits he is determined to add more fliers to his Tynecastle squad before the transfer window ends.
A move for Liverpool forward Ben Woodburn has been mooted while the Hearts boss has previously confirmed he is focusing on the top end of the pitch as well as chasing a centre back.
“We need to add to the team,” said Neilson. “We need to add more bodies to the group that give us that starting pace and pace that can come on as well.
“You saw the impact that Ginnelly coming on gives us. It allows the team to get up the pitch, it frees Boyce up a bit more and it gives us more attacking threat.”
Neilson also confirmed that Andy Halliday should be fit to face Aberdeen in Sunday’s Premiership clash.
The midfielder was withdrawn at half-time at Celtic Park and Neilson explained that it was partly down to injury and partly down to a need to change things up.
“He should be alright, he’s just had a wee Achilles problem,” he told Hearts TV.
“We just felt that with the change of shape, bringin Mackay-Steven in and dropped Peter [Haring] back a wee bit gave us more attacking threat.
“So it was a balance between that and Andy having a wee niggle.
“We now look forward to Aberdeen next week at Tynecastle. It’s a massive game for us.
“It’s a game we should be winning but Aberdeen will say the same. It’s going to be two teams that I would expect to be at the top end of the league and it’ll be a great game to look forward to.
“We’ll look to take the second half performance from Sunday into that.”
