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Hearts assistant head coach Austin MacPhee has told the club’s supporters to expect more new faces between now and the end of the January transfer window.
Head coach Ian Cathro made his first signings since replacing Robbie Neilson last month after recruiting veteran Northern Ireland defender Aaron Hughes and former Hamilton left-back Lennard Sowah on deals until the end of the season on Monday.
MacPhee played a role in bringing Hughes to Tynecastle having worked alongside the 37-year-old with the Northern Ireland national team, where is a part of Michael O’Neill’s coaching set-up.
MacPhee believes one-time Newcastle United central defender’s experience will be invaluable and has also welcomed former Portsmouth and Hamburg player Sowah’s arrival.
But he insists Hearts’ business in the transfer market is far from finished.
MacPhee said: “There’s going to be other new faces coming in between now and January, that’s for sure.
“Aaron had been playing out in India after playing 15 years at the highest level in football in England, he was at the Euros, I know him well.
“He played 90 minutes against Germany in Hannover for us a couple of months ago, we know the physical condition he is in and we just feel with the very young defensive line just now, it’s experience on the training pitch, in the changing room and on the pitch at times that is going to be welcome from the squad.
“From the footage we’ve seen of Lennard at Hamilton and the scouting reports, we feel he is another to strengthen the squad in that area of the pitch and we’re excited to see what they can both do.”
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MK Dons manager Robbie Neilson has raided former club Hearts to take head of sports science John Hill to the the English League One outfit.
Neilson appointed Hill, who first started working for Hearts in 2010, to his current role when he was made first team head coach in summer 2014.
Neilson took asssisant head coach Stevie Crawford with him to stadium MK when he departed Tynecastle at the start of December.
The ex-Hearts boss said: “John has got a great pedigree – the work he has done speaks for itself. We worked very well together at Hearts and I know what he will bring to the table. I’m delighted to have him on board.
“I’m confident he can carry on the good work that had already been put in place.”
Hill, who also worked with Edinburgh Rugby previously, said: “MK Dons is a fantastic club. I wanted to come down to England to progress my career and challenge myself in a new environment.
“The opportunity to work with Robbie and Stevie again was also a big factor for me – we have a good relationship and I believe that will help benefit the squad.
“Together, we enjoyed good success at Hearts by providing the squad with the best possible support and that is something I want to continue here so they can go and compete the way Robbie wants them to.
“I’m here to develop the players’ athletic potential which will hopefully help us get results on the field.”
