Hearts Standard understands Graeme Jones, the Scottish FA's performance director, has been lined up to take on a position at Heart of Midlothian.

The club have been on the lookout for a new sporting director since Joe Savage left Tynecastle Park in the summer. Any new appointment may not be a like for like replacement for Savage and the role he carried out for three-and-a-half years.

While no deal has been 100 per agreed, Jones is rated highly by Hearts as he is at Hampden Park.

He has worked with the SFA for nine years and was appointed into the performance director position in December last year.

In 2015 Jones, who has worked with both Raith Rovers and UEFA previously, became head of football science and medicine at the SFA before moving up the ladder within the organisation, first as head of high performance and then performance director.

Jones' position at the SFA is wide-ranging. As well as working closely with Steve Clarke his role, according to the governing body, has an "oversight across men’s and women’s national teams from A squad down, with responsibility for implementing a world-class system and winning culture to ensure all international players – current and future – are inspired to deliver success".

It's one which encompasses sports science, medicine, analysis, data, scouting and talent identification for all international teams.