Neil Critchley, the head coach for Hearts, has reportedly urged players Liam Boyce and Andres Salazar, who are currently not in regular contention, to maintain their confidence, suggesting that opportunities to play will arise for them. (Edinburgh Evening News – subscription), external Critchley also stated that he has “so many things” he intends to discuss with Graeme Jones, who is the newly appointed sporting director for Hearts. (Edinburgh Evening News – subscription), external Separately, Rangers are reportedly nearing an agreement to sign Lawrence Shankland, a striker for both Hearts and Scotland, during the January transfer window. Shankland’s current contract is set to expire next summer, making a potential cut-price transfer a possibility. (Football Insider), external Post navigation Arsenal’s Transfer Pursuits and Sporting Director Succession Postecoglou Discusses Tottenham’s Performance and Werner’s Half-Time Substitution