Jake Mulraney set to follow Craig Wighton through Hearts exit door

Hearts winger Jake Mulraney's transfer to Atlanta United is close to completion following striker Craig Wighton's loan move to Arbroath.

Both players are surplus to manager Daniel Stendel's requirements but Mulraney's switch is expected to earn Hearts a six-figure sum.

Wighton joined Championship side Arbroath on loan until the end of the season in the hope of playing regular first-team football.

Speaking after Wednesday's goalless draw with Ross County in Dingwall, Stendel said: "We looked for a solution for both players. Jake has chance to go to MLS and I think this is a great step for him.

"We also need space for new players so we needed to do something and this is a chance for both players to play more at other teams. It’s good for them and we wish them good luck."

Hearts battled hard for a point in the Highlands and are now unbeaten in their last three matches. They did not register a shot on target at the Global Energy Stadium, however, leaving Stendel lamenting the lack of a natural finisher in the quest to avoid relegation.

He said: “I expected a better performance from my team, especially in the first half. After the win over Airdrie on Saturday I thought we would have played with more confidence. But we had problems in the last third, we didn’t really create chances.

“We changed it in the second half and it was better and we had some good chances - but we need to score the first goal, then it will be easier for us. Ross County had a good chance as well so the result was okay.

"I have said to the players we need to take the positives. We are unbeaten in 2020 and for three games in a row. But, in our situation, we know we need wins to change where we are in the table.

"It’s a long way. We are not going to change it in one or two games. It would have been better if we won, but we need to take the point and go on to Rangers on Sunday."