Gary Mackay: Hearts need new signings as some aren't up for Championship fight - never mind Premiership

I always felt last summer that we needed a centre-back. We got one and he isn’t getting a game now. Would Christophe Berra be able to manage another season in the Premiership? Who knows, but right away I would think about that position.

I’m concerned a wee bit when I hear talk about Stephen Kingsley holding contract talks and now they’ve stopped. Left-back has been a problem position for a few years, Aaron Hickey apart. It would be really disappointing to lose Kingsley.

In the middle of the park, we are still looking at a situation where you need legs. There are loads of midfield players in the group, but is there the right balance of midfielders for playing in the Scottish Premiership next year? There is no great change of pace in there and that concerns me.

In the front area, you are looking at two very experienced players in Liam Boyce and Steven Naismith. After that, it’s lads for whom the jury is still out.

The euphoria of beating Hibs in the Scottish Cup semi-final was tremendous, as was the comeback against Celtic in the final. That’s what Hearts are capable of, what this squad is capable of.

Unfortunately, the players are still allowing us supporters to question them because of defeats at places like Alloa, Dunfermline and Dundee.

People like Josh Ginnelly were brought in to add pace and make Hearts a more dynamic team. Him not being available certainly hasn’t helped.

There was nothing dynamic in the front area of the pitch at Dens Park on Saturday. That’s something you have to address if you want to go up a level and compete in the Premiership next season.

For me, Hearts will need to look long and hard at the present group to decide who they retain between now and the summer. There is also no doubt that they need to bring in the kind of quality that would take us to the next level.

No disrespect, but if you aren’t up for the fight away at Dundee, Alloa or Dunfermline, are you going to be up for it away at Hamilton, Motherwell and St Johnstone?

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