Robbie Neilson keen to tie down Robert Snodgrass and Josh Ginnelly on new deals

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has revealed that the club are keen to hold on to two out-of contract players beyond this summer.

Robert Snodgrass and Josh Ginnelly are both entering the final months of their existing deals at Tynecastle but have played important roles in Neilson’s side as they have established themselves in third place in the Premiership. Ginnelly has impressed recently since moving from his position as winger to playing through the middle as a central striker.

The player said over the weekend that he felt he was thriving in Edinburgh and is open to signing an extension to stay with the club.

As he guides the team through the second half of the season, Neilson is already looking at the options he’ll have next year and wants both players to be part of the plan. He said that sporting director Joe Savage was working on new offers for the out-of-contract pair, and others from the current squad.

“We are still working away,” Neilson said. “There are a few that we want to keep.

“My job is to tell Joe which ones we want to keep and then it’s Joe’s job to get the deals done.

“We have spoken to Snoddy and it is really down to him because of the age he is at and where his family are based, but I would love to keep him here because he has been outstanding.

“Gino has done outstandingly well for us, especially playing in that attacking role, so he is another one that we are talking to.

“It can take a bit of time to get over the line but I would like to see him here next season.”

While planning for the future, Neilson also has the immediate task of preparing the team to face Celtic on Wednesday. After defeat at Motherwell, Hearts bounced back with a victory over St Johnstone and are looking to to put in a strong performance in midweek against the champions.

“We have had a really good run of form before a wee blip so getting back is great,” he said.

“A different challenge on Wednesday night. Obviously Parkhead is always a difficult place to go but with the belief we have in the group and the players as a whole, we take confidence into that game.

“The big thing for me is the belief.

“Belief in yourself as a player and then belief in the group that when we go there – we won’t control the whole game – but we have to control periods of it and when we do we have to make the right decision.

“When you go to these environments that is the key, belief and then decision-making when we get the ball.

“We know what we need to do, we just have to implement that.”