Yan Dhanda will be a Heart of Midlothian player next season after signing a pre-contract agreement - and the club will try to make the move happen in January.

Hearts are keen to bring the player in this month but County are determined to keep him until the end of the season. The club are comfortable if it doesn't materialise before the end of the transfer window.

READ MORE: Why a Hearts pre-contract move for Yan Dhanda makes sense

Steven Naismith's side are 10 points clear in third in the Scottish Premiership following the weekend's win over Aberdeen. The Hearts head coach spoke about his happiness with the squad over the weekend.

"We have a great squad of players and there are guys who haven’t played as much as they want," he said when asked about possible ins and outs. "If they want to go and we can do it and we can maybe replace them then we might do it. There is nobody desperately wanting to leave. I can understand it if they want more football but we’re not planning on being busy.

Dhanda is a key player for Derek Adams side who sit 11th in the Premiership and will be seen as an instrumental figure as they battle the drop. He has worn the captain's armband in the previous two matches.

The 25-year-old, who is in the final six months of his deal at Ross County, emerged as a target for Hearts earlier this season. He joined the Staggies in the summer of 2022 and has since played 62 games, making more than 20 goal contributions during his time with the Dingwall side.