Steven Naismith admits it’s a slow process trying to get key Hearts men Lawrence Shankland and Beni Baningime secured on new deals.
The Tynecastle club have offered new contracts to the pair along with Craig Halkett and are awaiting replies. Halkett and Baningime, both recently back in action after around a year out injured each, are out of contract in the summer and free to talk to other clubs about a free transfer.
While Shankland is contracted until next summer but the Jambos are desperate to tie him down and fend off interest in their star man, offering to make him their highest paid player in a decade. It’s frustrating for fans not to hear news on it but Naismith accepts that it’s a big decision for players and their families so patience is required.
“It’s a slow process,” he told Hearts Standard. “They are at that point in their career where they have big decisions. We have a lot to offer and we hope they can see that and they can see the value in staying.
“We will do what we can for the likes of Beni, Shanks and that to stay because they are big parts of our squad.”
Meanwhile, Andy Halliday and Connor Smith look like leaving the club permanently with interest in their services.
Addressing that, Naismith said: “That option is there. Whether it happens or not, I’m not going to put any pressure on the players. It is more credit to the ones who haven’t been involved but have been part of the group, they’ve enhanced the group and made it better day to day.
“But I know what it is like. See if you are not playing it is hard, it’s really tough to keep motivated when you are not getting those minutes at the end of the week. Inevitably some might move on. If it is right for them and right for us, some might move on.”
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