Lewis Neilson has completed his move to St Johnstone, joining on a season-long loan. But not before extending his Heart of Midlothian contract to 2026.

It was reported last week that the 21-year-old was attracting interest with Saints, managed by former Hearts manager Craig Levein, the frontrunners to sign him. 

The move will see Neilson link up with Levein and another former Tynecastle Park star Andy Kirk who is the assistant at McDiarmid Park. St Johnstone have already landed Makenzie Kirk, the striker who banged in goals for the B team in the last two seasons, while they also have ex-Jambo Connor Smith.

For Neilson, it is a move that makes sense. As things stand he is sixth choice centre-back at Tynecastle. Steven Naismith currently has Frankie Kent, Craig Halkett, Daniel Oyegoke, Kye Rowles and Stephen Kingsley at his disposal. Gerald Taylor could also play the right-sided centre-back position.

While he was part of the squad that travelled to Fleetwood Town at the weekend, he was an unused substitute. 

Neilson, like Aidan Denholm who joined Ross County, is at an age where he is better served playing regular first-team football rather than being a bit-part player and not gaining much momentum or consistency in terms of selection. Naismith said as much, noting that while he "would undoubtedly continue to learn from being around them, he’ll gain more by getting minutes on the pitch at a good level".

The loan to Partick Thistle last season was a positive experience. He played 43 games with the Championship side, most of which were at centre-back. He did move into a midfielder role towards the end of the campaign.

Playing with St Johnstone means a step up in level. As things stand, Neilson has made 23 appearances in the Scottish top flight. If he can take that beyond 50 that should do him the world of good. In addition, he is going to be tested. Saints are not expected to be a side that dominates the ball with predictions that they could struggle. His defensive qualities will be challenged. There will be an expectation to defend and battle, win his duels and thrive doing the nitty-gritty of the game.

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And he will do so under Craig Levein. One of the best Hearts centre-backs in the last 40 years who has been instrumental in the development of a number of centre-backs during his time as manager of Hearts and Dundee United, namely Andrew Webster.

What should be noted, this is a big year for Neilson. Having extended his Hearts contract, a strong performance on loan in Perth could convince Naismith and the club that he is ready to challenge for a more prominent first-team role next summer.

It is a move that ticks a lot of boxes.

For the player, it allows him to possibly play regularly in the Scottish Premiership for a team who will likely have to do their fair share of defending. For St Johnstone, they get a promising Scottish talent. And for Hearts, they get to see how Neilson fares in the top flight.