BOOST FOR TARTAN CORE AT HEARTS AS FINDLAY STAYS PUT

DEREK McINNES was delighted to strengthen his Scottish core at Hearts by securing Stuart Findlay on a permanent contract.

- BY GAVIN McCAFFERTY

The former Kilmarnock centre-back has agreed a two-year deal, which will come into effect when his season-long loan from Oxford ends.

The 30-year-old has scored five goals in 24 appearances and helped Hearts lead the William Hill Premiership for most of the season.

McInnes said: “I do think, for all the signings we've made, it's important that we have that core of Scottish players, people who know the Scottish league.

“It's important we don't ever lose sight of that. The Scottish league is quite unique in that sense where you've got to make sure that you're ready for every eventuality, every kind of test and we need players like Stuart.”

Findlay admitted he would have been “mad” to look elsewhere after he committed his future to the Jambos beyond the summer.