Exclusive: Hearts boss on transfer window, squad strength and size.

The Heart of Midlothian depth chart displays a strong roster with plenty of options. Some may find that there are too many. Derek McInnes merely sees a capable group at his disposal. And the message is clear:

everyone has a chance. Hearts have changed their roster in recent months, with 11 new players joining and the same number leaving, whether through sale, loan, return to their parent club, or contract expiration.

It has been a momentous window for the club, as it enters a new era both on and off the game. From the management team to the boardroom and the manner the club conducts recruitment.

Despite the upheaval, the club has started the season well. Unbeaten in 90 minutes over nine games and level on points with Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership. “Yeah, absolutely,” McInnes said when asked about the squad depth.

“I believe that people focus too much on what they do not have. “As a manager, I consider myself to be really fortunate and delighted with our situation. You are not going to please everyone, but we have done some fantastic stuff. The board deserves enormous credit.

Graeme Jones, the recruitment team, and everyone else have played a significant role in getting players over the line.

The board’s support has been fantastic in putting together the squad to meet demand. Fans have already seen the impact of players like Stuart Findlay and Claudi.

Hearts have addressed essential and key areas of the team that needed to be tweaked, such as adding attacking depth, pace, and breadth, as well as retaining Lawrence Shankland.

“Sabah [Kerjota] and Alexandros, delighted with that, both bring a bit of pace and trickery,” according to McInnes.

“Hopefully, Sabah will enjoy his time with us by becoming more involved in the following months. “We’ve kept Lawrence Shankland.

If you think back, that was the major point of dispute when we first arrived. That was the question I was asked during my first few weeks on the job.

“We’ve brought in [Landry] Kabore, who I believe will need some time to acclimatise, but I believe he adds some presence at the top end of the pitch to complement what we already have.

We’ve added Ageu, and we’ve previously discussed his virtues in great detail. [Tomas] Magnusson and [Oisin] McEntee, for their flexibility, strength, size, and age; brilliant age. “Findlay, who we all know about.

I’m quite pleased with what has been done.” Musa Drammeh was the sole player that departed on deadline day. More could have left with interest in a few, but certain movements did not happen.

The closing of the window eliminates that ambiguity until January, and the primary focus is on each player presenting their case for inclusion, especially those who have not appeared frequently or, in the case of Kenneth Vargas, at all.

McInnes noted that he currently has 25 outfield players to pick from, which is similar to last season’s squad at Kilmarnock.

(Image: Hearts Standard)

“Everyone here has a chance,” he remarked. “Once the opportunity shuts, everyone needs to knuckle down and try to join the team and be totally supportive of one another, as we have been.

“Again, everyone believes the size of the team will be a problem, and people tend to focus on the potential problems that this may cause.

Just calm, we have a great team. My players are fine with this. “I believe that by the time we get to January, a few more people may be frustrated with game time, but the bounce game is an absolutely great approach to the game.

Everyone is striving to attract the attention and do their best.”There is no difficulty, players. There are no issues for me.

We have 25 outfielders to choose from. When I look back at my Kilmarnock squad from previous season, I see that we had 23 outfield players available.

“There’s probably a couple too many, but listen, over the course of the season, you pick up a lot of injuries and suspensions, so we will cope to deal with what’s ahead.”

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