Crossword Genius

Cerebral sort of rascal capturing hearts (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

thinker

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'cerebral sort' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'rascal capturing hearts' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'hearts' could be 'h' (abbreviation used in card games e.g. bridge) and 'h' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'tinker' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for thinker that I've seen before include "One using brain" , "Statue carved by 24 across" , "The rink (anag.)" , "one doing brain operations" , "Subject of Rodin statue" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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