Andrew McKinlay has revealed he is working on bringing someone in to replace Joe Savage as Heart of Midlothian sporting director.

The club's chief executive provided an update on the vacant position since Savage's departure after three-and-a-half years at Tynecastle Park. It was a time that saw Hearts enjoy success, qualifying for Europe three times in a row for the first time in the club's history.

McKinlay is keen for someone to continue the work Savage did overseeing the club's operations at Oriam.

"Quite an emotional conversation in some ways," he told HeartsTV when asked about the sporting director position. "Joe just decided at the end of last season that he'd been here three-and-a-half years and wanted to leave on a high. He's not moved to go anywhere else. He's going to take some time out and have some thoughts on what the next stage in his career is. 

"I worked closely with Joe over that period, enjoyed working with him and wish him all the best as he moves on to whatever he ends up doing in the future. 

"Up the road (Oriam) is in a good place. All the people who reported into Joe, we've got some good people up there and I am currently looking at bringing someone else in to oversee things up at Oriam and hopefully be able to give a bit more of an update on that in early course."

Regarding the transfer window, McKinlay also confirmed the club are "still working on a couple of things at the moment, both ins and outs".

Hearts are hoping to seal deals for midfielder Malachi Boateng and Colombian left-back Andres Salazar.