Hearts boss has eyes on lower leagues in his search for upcoming talent

McGlynn is on the lookout for players to strengthen his squad, although he admitted that he might not be able to get them in place in time for the start of the season. The Tynecastle side lost a number of players at the end of the last campaign and McGlynn is keen to bolster his options in the striking department in particular.

With finances already stretched because of events elsewhere, McGlynn will have to unearth a youngster with the kind of potential that saw Ryan Stevenson make the move from First Division Ayr United to Hearts in 2010.

He said: “I think you’ve always got to keep looking. If you pick out the right ones, there are players who can step up.

“Ryan was with Ayr in the First Division just a few years ago and now he’s playing with Ipswich in the Championship. So there are players to be got and you’ve got to have guys out looking. The striking department is a priority.

“We’re looking to bring someone in but these things take time. But whether we get someone in before the first game, who knows?”

Meanwhile, David Templeton has been linked with a move to Leeds United. The winger still has a year of his Tynecastle  contract to run but, with Robert Snodgrass and Ross McCormack thought to be on their way out of Elland Road, boss Neil Warnock is keen to sort out replacements as soon as possible and is believed to be keen on the Hearts player.

He said: “I don’t want to let anyone go until I’ve got a  replacement. I need players.”