Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken has confirmed he plans to hold crunch talks with midfielder Cammy Devlin once the Australian's World Cup campaign concludes. Devlin is now officially a free agent after his contract at Tynecastle expired, and he is attracting firm interest from several clubs, including Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders, and possibly Rangers.
Vrancken Keen to Keep Devlin
Vrancken, who took over as Hearts boss ahead of the new season, is eager to extend the Australian international's stay in Edinburgh. However, he acknowledges that the decision ultimately lies with the player. "It is totally with him, I think, at this moment. It's the end of contract, so it's his decision. What he wants to do," Vrancken said. "The more good players I have, the better for me as a coach. It's normal. But everybody has to make the decision for himself, of course."
The Belgian manager plans to speak with Devlin after Australia's World Cup adventure is over. "Yeah, for sure. Depending on what he decides. When he's going to decide, for sure, I will give him a call. No, I haven't spoken with him yet. [He's] fully concentrated at the World Cup, I think. Also, when I look to the past, Japanese players (at Sint Truidense) from last year and the World Cup, I think they have to just be focused on there now to perform," Vrancken added.
Craig Gordon's Future Uncertain
Veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon's long-term future also remains up in the air. The Scotland international is out of contract and has hinted he could retire after the World Cup. Vrancken admitted that Gordon has yet to decide his future. "Not at the moment. Like I said, I'm only focusing on the players I have now or are here. The situation of their contracts, it's always with the player himself. What he wants to do," Vrancken claimed.
Devlin, 28, has been a key figure for Hearts since joining from Newcastle Jets in 2021, making over 100 appearances for the club. His tenacity and energy in midfield have made him a fan favourite. With interest from Major League Soccer and Scottish Premiership rivals, Vrancken faces a challenge to retain his services.
