Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson's squad building complete

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Juanma Delgado and Robbie NeilsonImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Robbie Neilson (right) says Hearts have exceeded his expectations so far this term

Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson does not expect to be conducting any more business in the transfer window.

Midfielder Kenny Anderson and goalkeeper Scott Gallacher have held talks with Neilson about their futures at Tynecastle.

They will decide over the next few days if they want to fight for their places.

"It will be up to them what they want to do," said Neilson ahead of Saturday's game with Hamilton. "I would rather guys go and play football."

And he added: "I don't want to keep guys here that are not going to play and they end up getting disillusioned a little bit.

Hearts' flawless Premiership start

Hearts 4-3 St Johnstone, 2 August

Dundee 1-2 Hearts, 8 August

Hearts 2-0 Motherwell, 12 August

Ross County 1-2 Hearts, 15 August

Hearts 3-0 Partick Thistle, 22 August

Neilson signed defenders Blazej Augustyn, Juwon Oshaniwa and forwards Igor Rossi Branco, Juanma Delgado and Gavin Reilly earlier this summer and is happy with the squad he has assembled.

And he hopes no bids come in for any of his players as the clock ticks towards midnight on Tuesday, when the window closes in Scotland.

"There have been no more offers in for the players and I hope nothing comes in," he explained.

"From our point of view there is no one we are looking to bring in either but you never know what will turn up or what will happen.

"I have got a strong squad, a lot of good young players coming through as well."

Hearts have won all five of their Scottish Premiership matches since winning promotion and this has exceeded Neilson's expectations, though he cautioned it is still early in the season.

"If you look at the start of the season the focus is just on the first game and win that and we knew it would be difficult," he said.

Image source, SNS
Image caption,

Neil Alexander is combining playing with a new goalkeeper coach role

"But you never know when you come up how players will react to playing at a higher level.

"Last season they proved they were good players but this season they have to do it consistently against really good players and they have managed to do that so far but we still have a long way to go."

Neil Alexander believes it's wrong that some pundits already have Hearts as potential title challengers.

"Calm down," the keeper stressed. "Calm yourself down.

"There is a long way to go. We have started really well but you know the tough challenges are ahead of us with Celtic, Dundee United, Aberdeen and Inverness still to play."

The 37-year-old is combining his role between the sticks with that of goalkeeping coach at the club.

"I love it," he added.

"It is tough. I'm not going to lie. Longer hours which you obviously have to put in and I sometimes maybe neglect myself to try and concentrate on the other boys but that is just my job and I'm experienced enough to know how to handle it."

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