Bristol City and Swansea City keeping tabs on Hearts’ out-of-contract defender Craig Halkett

Bristol City are reportedly looking up to Scotland as they are considering a January move for Hearts defender Craig Halkett.

The opening of the transfer window is just a few weeks away and this is one of the first names linked with a move to Ashton Gate.

Football Insider say that both the Robins and Championship rivals Swansea City are both interested in securing his services.

Both clubs have been keeping tabs on Halkett as they closely monitor his progress with the Scottish Premiership side.

Scouts from England, including the two names mentioned, have looked at him and whether he would be able to deal with the quality of the league.

His current contract expires at the end of the season meaning he could be available for a cut price or City could wait in the summer and get him on a free transfer.

He stated in October that signing a new contract was not a priority until the new year.

“There is still a long way to go so I have put it to the back of my head. I would never go to the club and say I want to do this or that, I leave my agent to deal with all that kind of stuff,” he said to The Scotsman.

“I’m happy here, I’m enjoying it this season and I am just working hard every day. So I’ll let my agent deal with it all and if he wants to speak to me, he will. I’m not bothered either way.”

This season he has featured in all but one of Hearts’ league fixtures and last season was part of their Championship winning side.

He began his career at Rangers and failed to make a senior appearance for the Gers, later joining Livingston after loan spells at Clyde and Berwick Rangers.

Halkett would spend a total of four years at the Tony Macaroni Stadium, playing across three divisions, helping them to promotion from League One to the Championship and then the Premiership.

The central defender has a goal scoring threat and scored 14 goals for the Lions over two seasons, highlighting a useful trait, given City’s threat from throw-ins and corners.

City already have a plethora of centre-backs but operate in a three-man defence meaning defensive reinforcements may be needed.

Both George Tanner and Rob Atkinson were brought to the club whilst Nathan Baker, Tomas Kalas and Zak Vyner are the default defensive three.

They also have Taylor Moore out on loan, coincidentally at the same club as Halkett, as his defensive partner. The 24-year-old has made eight appearances so far, starting five of them but has yet to stamp down a regular place in the team.

Moore has been with Bristol City since 2016 and broke through into the team under Lee Johnson and then Dean Holden, but manager Nigel Pearson had other plans. He played in the defeat to Forest Green Rovers in the Carabao Cup but was then shipped him off to Hearts.