Hearts boss John McGlynn has admitted that it is vital that the Scottish outfit keep hold of Andy Webster and Marius Zaliukas in the January transfer window.

The defensive pair are both out of contract at the end of the season, leading to claims that they could be sold in January in order to raise funds.

However, McGlynn told Sky Sports News: "It's massive for us to keep them. They are the experience in the team and they're both international centre-backs.

"You will never actually know how much you appreciate them until they aren't there. They do a tremendous job and it would be a blow to lose them. I'm not suggesting we will but at the same time if offers come in for players and everyone is happy with them, then it may well be that some players go.

"I can't say who that will be. The board of directors would firstly need to accept an offer and then the player in question would have to agree to go. It's very much ifs and buts at the moment on that issue. But I've got to say that Andy and Marius are the backbone of the team right now and no manager would want to lose that."

Hearts are still under a transfer embargo due to late payments.