Frail: Hughes' character will make sure he fits right in

The assistant coach has tracked Hughes' career since first playing against him in a reserve match several years ago and has worked towards bringing him to Tynecastle since the spring.

Hughes' name was on a list of potential transfer targets Frail and Anatoli Korobochka submitted to Vladimir Romanov back in March, and the 24-year-old was last night awaiting results of a medical examination after agreeing terms with Hearts.

Frail declared himself delighted that one of his intended signings was close to putting pen to paper. "He was put on the wish list with a lot of other players," revealed the former full-back.

"Stephen's one I've known about for some time and I remember actually playing against him when he was very young in a reserve game. I think he must have been nine or something," joked Frail.

"I know his qualities and I've spoke to ex-Hearts players at Leicester and to Craig [Levein]. I got nothing but good reports on him both as a person and a player. He's a good professional to have at your club.

"Ultimately, his ability to play football was the top reason but all those others things help to make up the character.

"Having not seen for a while but having spoken to people whose judgement I trust, I don't think he'll let us down."

The addition of Hughes would give Hearts' midfield a rather congested look with Michael Stewart, Ruben Palazuelos, Larry Kingston and Eggert Jonsson all challenging for places. Bruno Aguiar has still to return from an ankle injury but Frail is willing to embrace the extra competition.

"He [Hughes] gives us more competition for places. I know he can play in the centre of midfield but he can also play wide on the right. He can also operate in the holding role that young Eggert Jonsson had against Aberdeen, so there are a number of positions open to him.

"I think one of his biggest assets is his energy. He can go box to box and Neil McCann tells me they had a nickname for him at Rangers because of his fitness. I know he's a fit lad and we can use him in a number of areas. If we go back to 4-4-2 I'm sure he'll be comfortable in there as well. It gives us quality competition.

"Talks are at a reasonably advanced stage and we're awaiting results of the medical."

Having scored only one goal in their opening league fixtures prior to this afternoon's match with Gretna, Hearts supporters are understandably keen for a striker to arrive before the closure of the transfer window.

Vyacheslav Hleb told the Evening News last week that he still coveted a move to Scotland but Romanov has yet to ratify his move from MTZ Ripo of Minsk.

Frail continued: "Mr Romanov still has the targets from the initial list we sent out. There's one or two on that who could come in and make a difference. Hleb's name has been on the list and it's never really went one way or the other in terms of deal dead or deal back on. I read in the paper last week of his desire to come and play for Hearts but I'm not sure how far down the line that one is.

"People say we need a striker but we could have had a top-class striker up top against Aberdeen - I'm not saying Velicka isn't - the problem was we didn't create enough.

"We just need to keep working away in that respect and, if one or two more come in, then great. If not, and this might sound boring, we just need to make sure what we do on the training ground transfers on to the pitch and we create more chances.

"Everything up until the final third last week at Pittodrie was excellent."

Frail attended Rugby Park on Monday night to watch Kilmarnock defeat Dundee United but is reluctant to speak on the future of Steven Naismith. The forward has been linked with Hearts but recently withdrew his transfer request.

"He is now concentrating on playing for Kilmarnock," said Frail. "Whatever happens to him happens but it's not our concern until someone decides they want to go and bring him in."