It is funny how things can work out in football. Neil Critchley, more than two years removed from his first stint in charge of Blackpool, has two players in his Heart of Midlothian squad he tried to sign for the Seasiders.

If things had turned out differently, he may well have managed a midfield of Beni Baningime and Jorge Grant in the English Championship.

The Hearts head coach revealed recently that he had tried to sign Baningime for Blackpool. Fast forward a week or so and Grant had a revelation of his own.

"I spoke to him before I signed for Peterborough when Blackpool got promoted to the Championship, but it just didn't happen and I went to Peterborough in the end," the midfielder said.

Yet, the 30-year-old has yet to start a game under Critchley. 

He missed the first game following Critchley's appointment due to suspension having been sent off after Abrdeen but has featured off the bench regularly since then.

"He's told me what he wants from me coming off the bench," Grant said. "So, I've just got to try and do that and then get in the team and push on from there.

"He obviously tried to sign me before so, yes, it's obviously a good thing and hopefully I can just get back in the team and improve."

Grant is one of eight first-team squad members out of contract at the end of the season. While nothing has been discussed, he is keen to remain at Tynecastle Park beyond the expiry of his deal.

"I don't think that will be discussed until the club's ready to tell me whether they're going to give me a new one or not," he said. "I've just got to keep working hard, try and get back in the team and prove that I'm good enough to be here.

"I'd like to stay, of course. I really enjoy being here. My family's here, so I would like to stay. But that's not down to me. I need to prove myself on the pitch and obviously improve and get on the team."