Depending on whether or not you see your glass as being half full or half empty will determine how you rate the success of our transfer window.
There were no surprises, no short-term loans but, what Ross Wilson and Michael Beale did do is deliver on what they said they were going to do – add quality and add players who would improve the first XI for this season and the years to come.
In Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin we have exactly that. Cantwell looked very sharp for a player on his debut and who hadn’t played since November and it is clear that there is more to come from him – his pass to open up the St Johnstone defence, hopefully, a sign of what we can expect on a weekly basis.
As for Raskin, he might be the missing piece of the jigsaw in terms of our midfield as a player who likes to get on the ball and dictate play but also do the dirty work out of possession.
Writing on Twitter, Heart and Hand’s David Edgar was quick to remind fans that Beale’s rebuild is far from over and that the summer will see us have a bigger turnaround of players:
“I think this window has been okay but only the start. It’s a big task because we’ve wasted several windows previously. Still reckon we’ll need half a dozen in summer.”
Beale has already said that a goalkeeper and striker are being lined up for the summer and, he suggested that a centre-half was on his radar for January so we should expect one more for there too. Other than that, take your pick, with much of our business being dependent on departures.
Another natural number six or a number eight would be my wish, I’m just not keen on the likes of John Lundstram, Ryan Jack and Glen Kamara constantly being asked to do things that aren’t natural to them.
Cantwell and Raskin is a good start, let’s hope that those who follow are of equal ability.