By JOHN MCGARRY

Published: 17:00, 8 January 2026 | Updated: 17:01, 8 January 2026

While the winter transfer window clearly presents more challenges than its summer edition, the suggestion that recruiting players at the turn of the year is akin to splitting the atom has never held much water.

Clubs know what’s coming. They know what they need. The pursuit of deals up until the last hour of the last day is wholly unnecessary.

Regardless of how Hearts’ season plays out, no-one will be able to accuse the Tynecastle club of being asleep at the wheel when this month’s window opened.

Derek McInnes knew his side had six games this month, five in the league and a Scottish Cup tie against Falkirk. 

They’ve already ticked off a narrow win against Livingston, with Premiership matches against Dundee, St Mirren, Celtic and Dundee United to come.

That’s a lot of football to be played before the faux excitement of transfer deadline day on February 2, Jim White’s yellow ties and all that nonsense. Fifteen points up for grabs which could have a huge...