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Tequila. The potent and popular Mexican liquor around the world. In Gorgie, it relates to a potent and popular Japanese striker.

Well, if you take into account the final two games of the Scottish Premiership season.

Despite minimal impact for much of the campaign just past, Kyosuke Tagawa provoked a strong feeling from the Heart of Midlothian support.

The Japanese striker, signed last summer for a six-figure fee on a three-year deal, had a frustrating season. Of course, he was never going to usurp Lawrence Shankland but many of his appearances were largely underwhelming. It should be noted that this is a player who arrived from the other side of the world, had to get used to Scottish football, dealt with an injury and struggled to get a run in the team. Both Kenneth Vargas and Calem Nieuwenhof, fellow additions from abroad 12 months ago, also took time to get up to speed.

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Going into the penultimate game of the season Tagawa had one goal to his name, a well-placed finish in a comfortable early season win over Partick Thistle in the League Cup. Still, he had his own song, a very catchy ditty to 'Tequila'. And as the season progressed there was a greater desire to see him make an impact and impress.

Before the campaign was out he did just that, scoring against St Mirren and a stunner against Rangers in stoppage time to ensure the season ended on a positive note for the team.

On a personal level, it was such a big moment and gave the impression that not only was there more to come from Tagawa but he could be ready to kick on and become a bigger presence for the team going forward.

However, it appears there is interest in the player from his homeland. It was reported over the weekend that Urawa Red Diamonds consider him as an option for when the Japanese transfer window opens next month. The J1 League is at the midway point and the Red Devils are sitting in lowly 10th. Not a great position for the Japanese team that has won most AFC Champions League titles.

(Image: SNS)

As reported by Hearts Standard, the club have not yet received any offers for the player or been approached about a deal. That, of course, doesn't mean clubs aren't keeping tabs on the 25-year-old. There was interest earlier in the year when the player was on the periphery of the first-team.

How it plays out over the coming weeks and months will be very interesting. While the Scottish window is open until the end of May, Japan's closes on August 21.

The position from the club should and likely will be relaxed if the interest becomes concrete. But it would lead to a question of whether to stick or twist.

There is an understandable desire among the club's supporters to see what impact Tagawa can make next season after he demonstrated his finishing talent in the final two games of the campaign. It is understood such confidence and ability in front of goal is no surprise to those who see him in training day in and day out. 

Fans have provided Tagawa with plenty of patience, support and encouragement. The willingness for him to do well and those goals have whetted the appetite for greater productivity next season. It is fair to assume that he could be an even better option having assimilated over the last 12 months, more at ease with the pace and physicality of the league, and aided by a full pre-season under his belt with the team. There is every chance he will start early friendlies due to Shankland and Vargas' involvement at the Euros and Copa America respectively. 

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Equally, every Hearts player has their price. Should a good offer come in for the player that would see the club recoup or earn a profit on what they paid for Tagawa, there is every chance it would be considered. A key question would likely be, can he be upgraded before the window closes?

Then there is also the player's view on the situation and whether a move back to Japan would appeal to him. If it materialised it could be a defining aspect of any such transfer.

Allowing him to leave on the cheap is very unlikely, however. It is not the way the club have operated when it comes to players leaving in recent years.

It leads us to the striking depth and Shankland's future. Currently, Steven Naismith's options through the middle are: Shankland, Tagawa, Liam Boyce, Vargas and James Wilson.

Hearts may well add a player who can play in different forward positions, including through the middle. But as things stand, it is hoped the latter quartet can all contribute to the club's goal-scoring next season easing the burden on Shankland if he stays. If he is to leave, the club will have a big job on their hand replacing him. After all, he's produced the best back-to-back goal-scoring seasons since Jimmy Wardhaugh in the last 1950s.

Both Shankland and Tagawa departing in the same window would mean plenty of work for the recruitment team in the forward department.

Yet, at the moment, it is merely speculation until something concrete is put in front of the club. But there would be a tinge of disappointment if he were to depart after just one year and a strong end to the season.