Story byLaurent Mendy has been targeted by Hearts []Brian McLauchlin - BBC Sport Scotland Senior ReporterWed, January 21, 2026 at 12:04 PM UTC·1 min readHearts have had a bid for Forest Green Rovers midfielder Laurent Mendy turned down by the National League club. The Scottish Premiership leaders' analytics service has identified 28-year-old Mendy as a possible option amid absences for Beni Baningime and Cammy Devlin. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDevlin was last week ruled out injured for up to two months, while Baningime will serve a two-match suspension following his recent red card against St Mirren. Baningime also appeared to pick up a knock during Saturday's Scottish Cup defeat by Falkirk. Hearts host second-placed Celtic, who trail by six points, on Sunday (15:00 GMT). Manager Derek McInnes will have to do without captain and Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland. Top scorer Shankland, 30, went off with a hamstring problem against Falkirk, and is expected to be absent for up to eight weeks. Elton Kabangu, Pierre Landry Kabore and James Wilson are available, along with regular forward Claudio Braga, while a deal has been agreed to sign Uganda forward Rogers Mato, 22. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, it is unlikely the paperwork and work permit for Mato will be completed by the weekend. Hearts linked with Forest Green's Mendy - gossipHearts seal Mato deal after Shankland injury blowVisit our Hearts page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views.
