Hearts are bracing for a significant squad overhaul this summer as a string of high-profile departures threatens to reshape the Tynecastle roster.
Club talisman and captain Lawrence Shankland has departed on a free transfer to Rangers after triggering a break clause in the three-year deal he signed last summer.
Shankland was able to walk away at no cost after the clause, which was not widely known publicly, allowed him to exit the agreement ahead of schedule.
Midfielder Beni Baningime and defender Frankie Kent have also been confirmed as departures, adding to the anxiety felt by the Hearts faithful following the exits.
Defender Craig Halkett faces a nine-month lay-off after rupturing his Achilles, while Marc Leonard has returned to Birmingham City after a loan spell was cut short by a similar injury.
There are further doubts over the futures of goalkeeper Craig Gordon and midfielder Cammy Devlin, with Hearts still in talks with both players but no fresh deals yet confirmed.
Winger Josh McPake, French midfielder Tom Renaud and Lincoln centre-back MJ Kamson-Kamara are expected to arrive at Tynecastle this summer as incoming additions.
Club legend and former captain Christophe Berra has urged supporters to remain calm and trust the process being led by Derek McInnes and investor Tony Bloom.
Berra told Record Sport: “It’s obviously disappointing to see so many important players leave.”
He added: “Lawrence will be the hardest one to replace but as you’ve seen with our recruitment last year, the guys that Bloom has at Jamestown know what they’re doing.”
Berra pointed to the arrivals of Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis as evidence that the recruitment operation at the club is capable of finding quality players quickly.
He noted there is a possibility that those players could also attract interest, saying: “Who knows, we might lose them too as, especially with Braga being player of the year and attracting interest.”
On Shankland specifically, Berra acknowledged the departure would sting supporters but believes the reaction will soften over time.
He said: “But he’s a Rangers fan, it’s his boyhood club so I think fans can understand that.”
Berra insisted Shankland’s legacy at the club remains intact, saying: “I really think that deep down the fans will be very grateful for what he did here, all the goals, all the games he won for this club. He’ll go down as a legend.”
On the contract clause that allowed Shankland to leave, Berra said: “Usually with these options, it’s written in the club’s favour. But ultimately Lawrence held the cards and was able to get the agreement he wanted.”
Bloom had publicly declared that Hearts would win a league title within a decade, and Berra believes the close finish this season will only sharpen the investor’s ambitions going forward.
Berra said: “Bloom is a guy who looks to achieve success wherever he goes. He’s set out a 10-year plan to win the league but the challenge next term is to meet the standards they’ve set this year.”
He closed with a message about the type of recruitment needed, saying: “To do that you need the right characters in the door as well as the right quality of player.”
About the Author
