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Michael Stewart names transfer deal Hearts should make and the ace who can't be sold

· Ben Banks · 2026-08-11 · nguồn gốc

Michael Stewart names transfer deal Hearts should make and the star who can't be sold as two recruits impress The former Hearts midfielder has been assessing what the rest of the transfer window could look like for the club. Michael Stewart reckons Hearts must retain Claudio Braga this summer - and sign another striker to go alongside him. Winger Alexandros Kyziridis’ exit is the latest high-profile departure from Tynecastle this summer after former manager Derek McInnes, Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin and others. Braga has been linked with Ligue 1’s Lyon most prominently, but remains in Gorgie, scoring in Sunday’s 4-0 Premiership thumping of Dundee United. It was a much needed result for new head coach Wouter Vrancken after bruising defeats against Sturm Graz, Benfica and Aberdeen to kick-start the season. Amadou Ba-Sy, Pierre Landry Kabore and James Wilson are other striking options alongside Braga but former Hearts midfielder Stewart feels more is needed while retaining their Portuguese talisman. Who does Michael Stewart feel Hearts need to sign this summer? Stewart said: “For me personally, you can't let Braga go. You cannot let Braga go. No chance. You cannot let him go. Because even as it is the moment, I'm looking at a striker and I'm thinking they need to be looking for somebody else. Ba-Sy’s coming in and it's difficult to predict at the moment. I'm not a huge believer in Kabore to be honest. I don't think he is the level that they're looking for. So if you were to lose Braga then you've not got a striker at the moment. I'm thinking they need to bring one while keeping Braga. So they cannot let him go for me.” Two recruits who have impressed Stewart are Tom Renaud, who scored excellent strikes versus Benfica and Dundee United, alongside winger turned full-back Calvin Miller. He can see them becoming key players under Vrancken, as the former midfielder pleads for an element of early season pragmatism, after Hearts lost their Europa League third round qualifier first leg 6-1 at Benfica ahead of the return match in Gorgie this Thursday. He added on the Premier Sports Social Club: “I've got to say, Tom Renaud the French midfielder, who scores that goal. I mean, it's an absolutely brilliant strike, he scores a cracker against Benfica midweek as well. Watching him, for me, he looks like a really nice football player. He sees a pass, wants to go forward, wants to be positive. First time, bang it round the corner, link up, one-twos with his forward men. I think he's a really, really good acquisition for Hearts. Michael Stewart on Hearts vs Benfica “Calvin Miller, who's playing left-back because Harry Milne was injured, I think he’s a really good, sensible addition. Thursday night against Benfica, they're a Champions League side, and you can't compare. I just want to see an element of pragmatism and stop being so naïve as they've been in a few of these games. An element of pragmatism against Benfica. They should have beat Aberdeen. “They shot themselves in the foot. Dundee United was a massive win for Wouter Vrancken. I do think there are positives to be had and it may well just take the first month or so of just trying to be... don't be so gung-ho. Just try and let things settle and I do think that there is positive signs for Hearts across the season here. But the key is, like I was saying about for other teams, this first month is huge for Hearts. Just try and see your way through to begin with, and then you can start to open up a wee bit.” The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly