Premiership boss provides verdict on Hearts transfer move for star 'right at the top of this division'

Hearts boss Steven Naismith has made an early transfer move.

Hearts have made a transfer move for a star who’s shone in the Premiership this season.

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell totally understands why Hearts are making a move for playmaker Blair Spittal this summer.

The 28-year-old has won the Steelmen’s Players’ Player of the Year and Coaches Player of the Year after a stellar season in claret and amber. He added two goals and an assist to his tally on Saturday as Motherwell routed Ross County 5-1 on Saturday.

It takes him to 13 goals and 11 assists for the season. Alongside County’s Yan Dhanda and Livingston’s James Penrice, Spittal has signed a pre-contract to make a move to Tynecastle in the summer. Hearts head coach Steven Naismith has made moves to bolster his squad with Premiership-proven talent ahead of next campaign involving Europa League or Europa Conference League football.

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Kettlewell has nothing but praise for the star who will play his final two Motherwell matches this week against Hibs and St Johnstone. He fully understands why Hearts are making a move for a star he believes is one of the Scottish Premiership’s top tier playmakers.

He said: “When you know the character of the man, it’s never a problem. When you get the chance to go to a bigger club and earn more money – whatever job you do – you tend to jump at the chance.

“If I felt it was going to be a problem, you wouldn’t have seen him again, but not for one second have I thought it would be an issue. His performances have been fantastic, and I understand why a club like Hearts want to try and sign Blair Spittal.

“If you talk about those old-fashioned attacking midfield players, I think he sits right at the top of this division.”