Former sporting director Joe Savage expects Hearts to “flex their muscles” with new arrivals in the January transfer window.
The Scottish Premiership leaders have agreed a deal for Kazakhstan international winger Islam Chesnokov and made a pre-contract approach for St Johnstone forward Josh McPake.
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Savage, who left Tynecastle in July 2024, is sure the club will also be chasing a new right-back.
“Hearts are in a position of strength at the moment, so I think you’ll see them flex their muscles here,” Savage told the BBC Scotland Football Podcast.
“I think they can win the league. The last two results have been brilliant [wins away to Celtic and Falkirk]. They’ll be quietly confident.
“If they can finish second, it’s still a brilliant season, but now they’ve already beaten Celtic twice and they’ve beaten Rangers.
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“With the Jamestown Analytics, they are able to identify players from their rating three or four months in advance, so Hearts already know who they are trying to sign.
“They’re already ahead of Celtic and Rangers, who have new managers.
“Chesnokov, they’ve been after for a long time and he’s meant to be one of the best players in Kazakhstan.
“Clearly, there’s a need for a right-back.”
Meanwhile, former Celtic and Kilmarnock striker Cillian Sheridan reckons Hearts head coach Derek McInnes won’t want to risk too many changes, given their record of just one defeat in 17 league outings.
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“I don’t think Hearts will do loads,” he said.
“Derek McInnes is big on people and characters and squads. I don’t think he’ll be looking to upset too many things.
“He’ll look to strengthen where he can but they don’t have the same desperate need as Celtic and Rangers.”
