Neil Critchley revealed that Daniel Oyegoke is close to departing Hearts after the defender missed Saturday’s 3-2 home victory over Kilmarnock.
The 22-year-old English defender joined the Jambos on a three-year deal from Brentford last summer and has made 26 appearances for the Edinburgh club this term.
However, Oyegoke was a notable absentee from Hearts’ matchday squad against Killie and Critchley revealed afterwards that he is set for an exit, with Italy understood to be his destination.
“We’ve had a bid from another club so they’re negotiating,” said the head coach. “It’s close to being finalised but not completed so we’ll see in the next 24 to 48 hours.”
Hearts climbed from 11th to ninth in the William Hill Premiership and are now within three points of the top six after they made it six games unbeaten in all competitions.
January signings Elton Kabangu and Jamie McCart both scored on their Tynecastle debuts and Jorge Grant got what proved the decisive goal following a mistake from Killie goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara, with Bobby Wales and Fraser Murray replying for the visitors.
Critchley felt Hearts’ performance was affected by the fact they chose not to train on Friday due to Storm Eowyn.
“I didn’t think we were great,” said Critchley. “We’ve played better recently and I think we played better when we lost here to Kilmarnock (in October).
“We scored three goals, conceded two poor goals which has been unlike us in recent games. That was us six weeks ago (losing goals), so that’s something to keep working on.
“We had chances to finish the game off near the end and at 3-2 they could put the ball in the box and cause chaos. Other than Craig Gordon having to make a save, we showed a bit of assurance in seeing it out.”
Killie boss Derek McInnes was frustrated with the goals his side lost as they replaced Hearts in the bottom two.
“Normally if you come here and score two, you win or get something,” he said.
“Three mistakes in the game, the second and third we should be doing better.
“The first goal was a mistake from the VAR. How they don’t give offside is unbelievable. I’m not criticising (refereee) John Beaton or the linesman. The ball is in open play and Kabangu is a yard offside (when Craig Gordon kicks it long), then impedes Joe Wright.
“I don’t know how that can’t be taken back by VAR, and how that isn’t a foul and offside. That’s what VAR is there for and what we pay the money for. It’s ridiculous how that goal stood.
“We needed to play better and I thought we played the majority of the second half in their half but we give a corner needlessly because we don’t pick up, then the third goal was a mistake where the goalie has to do better. The game gets taken away from us.”
