Jim Jefferies was a busy man yesterday as he secured the services of three new players in the space of a few hours. John Sutton has signed from Motherwell and joins former Kilmarnock midfielder Jamie Hamill and Danny Grainger from St Johnstone. Sutton, who scored 17 goals for the Steelmen last season, including three against Hearts at Tynecastle, has signed a three-year deal. Sutton said: "I'm really looking forward to my time here. It's a big club and hopefully I can help bring some silverware to Tynecastle. There was always a great atmosphere here when I played and I'm looking forward to having the fans on my side for a change!" Sutton admitted the move helps make up for the disappointment of losing to Celtic in last weekend's Scottish Cup final. He said: "I am sorry to be leaving Motherwell so soon after that but these things happen in football."
Hamill was a free agent after leaving Killie at the end of the season and links up with Jefferies again after working with him at Rugby Park. Jefferies said: "Jamie is a player I know very well and I'm confident he'll be a good addition to the squad. I am delighted to have brought him here and he will add competition for places which is good for any team." Hamill claimed the chance to work with Jefferies again - along with the prospect of European football next season - was too good to turn down. Hamill said: "There was a lot of interest from other clubs but as soon as I heard of Hearts' interest, I wanted to speak to them as soon as possible. It's a massive club and Jim Jefferies gave me my chance at Kilmarnock. Billy Brown and Gary Locke are obviously people I know very well, too, so I am delighted to be joining a club of this stature. An added factor in my decision was European football and I'm looking forward to it. This is going to be the biggest challenge of my career."
Grainger completed his move on Wednesday night after two years at St Johnstone, after the club beat off competition from England to secure the left-back's services. Jefferies said of the signing: "He's a decent player, has a good left peg and gives us good cover at left-back."
Meanwhile, Hearts under-19s captain Colin Hamilton, has become the latest young star to commit his future to the club after agreeing a new deal, following in the footsteps of Scott Robinson, Gordon Smith and Dylan McGowan, who all recently agreed new contracts.