Hearts have spent the summer casting the Jamestown Analytics net far and wide in a bid to land a few gems. But the best signing they could make this window by far is a little Aussie that's become one of their own.
There are fears the horse may have bolted when it comes to tying down Cammy Devlin on a new deal after his contract ran out at Tynecastle. But there is hope that he will re-sign.
New manager Wouter Vrancken said he will finally get to talk with the midfielder this week after Devlin's World Cup came to an end. If I was in the new manager's shoes, I would be throwing everything at Cammy.
Building the Team Around Devlin
I would be saying: I'm building this team round you. Making you captain of the club. You're going to be here for the long haul. I want you to sign a four or five year deal. You're talking testimonial. Becoming a club legend. Champions League qualifiers in the next few weeks. Point out that he's now been to two World Cups as a Hearts player as well.
They need to convince Cammy that his life is in Edinburgh, a city he clearly loves, with Hearts. Nowhere else. Your missus stays here. You'll have your kids here. This will be home for the rest of your life. You can coach here. You can work here after retiring from playing.
Uncertain Future at Age 28
Cammy seems like a loyal guy, a really good guy, but there's so much up in the air for him and, at 28, he's at an age where his next move could be the most important of his life with a good offer in the MLS on the table. There are also rumours about joining up with Derek McInnes and Lawrence Shankland again at Rangers.
He also has to weigh up things like how will he settle in with a new manager? There's new players. So from his point of view, there's style of play, how's it going to go? That's why his chats with Vrancken are so important.
Turbulent Off-Season at Hearts
This whole off-season has been one of the most turbulent ever seen at any club. Never mind one that was minutes away from winning the league. Losing the manager, Shankland, Beni Baningime, Frankie Kent, potentially losing Craig Gordon to retirement, the core of the team has gone. Add in Craig Halkett's injury that will keep him out til January. It's so important to have a core group that know the club, the league and the demands.
So if Hearts managed to re-sign one of their own, it would be such a big thing. It would be the best signing in the summer.
Devlin's Importance to the Team
He's the kind of boy you want at the club, setting standards every day, the life and soul of the dressing room. He reminds me of Ian Black but a better version. I loved playing with Blackie. He was one of the most underrated players I've ever played with. He was technically so good on the ball, I think Cammy is the exact same.
There are things that both do naturally, where they would stop attacks and just keep the ball moving. To the punter, that's all right. But to the actual player playing alongside them, you're like, this is brilliant. Because you just know you can rely on them.
I read an interview with the new manager saying that obviously boys are leaving, but he wants to concentrate on what he can affect and the boys that are there, which I thought was spot on. I just hope Hearts do absolutely everything they possibly can to make sure Cammy is among them. Re-signing him would just be such a big statement.
Claudio Braga's Situation Different
It's a bit different with Claudio Braga who has interest from Lyon in France. Claudio will leave eventually but not until someone offers the right price. I would be thinking £5m. Hearts might say more. The way they would have sold it to Claudio would have been, come in, do well and you can get a move, which is 100 per cent fine.
Cammy's different. He's been there five years and got better and better. They have to keep a core nucleus of players.
Optimism Despite Changes
Listen, there's a lot to be excited about with the campaign almost upon us and season tickets selling out in record time. I've been so doom and gloom the full off-season because of what's happened. But actually, I'm praying the new manager is really, really good. And I think he comes across really well.
I've read everything, watched all the videos and everything of them being in Spain. And they actually look really together and enjoying being together, they look as if they all had a good time. I've been on these pre-season camps and they're amazing if they go well. It looks as if it has. So it's a good starting point.
I just pray it falls all into place and Cammy signing would be a massive part of that.
