Rangers could be frustrated in their pursuit of winger Jamie Walker.
Hearts manager Ian Cathro has told The Scottish Sun that he wants to draw a line under Rangers’ interest in signing winger Jamie Walker.
Walker, 22, has come up through the ranks at Tynecastle, and he has now become a key first-team player for Hearts, racking up more than 150 appearances for the club.
The Edinburgh-born winger hit 12 league goals last season and 15 in all competitions, and after seeing team-mate Callum Paterson head to the Championship with Cardiff City, speculation surrounds Walker’s future.
Celtic’s Stuart Armstrong (L) and Celtic’s Mikael Lustig in action with Hearts winger Jamie Walker
Walker’s contract with Hearts expires in 2018, and having told the club he wanted to leave earlier this summer, many expected him to be sold before he walks away for free in a year’s time.
Rangers have been attempting to bring Walker to Ibrox, and BBC Sport recently reported that the Gers – who have already made eight summer signings – have had two bids rejected for Walker.
Rangers’ shock exit from the Europa League at the hands of Progres Niederkorn means that Pedro Caixinha will be even more desperate for reinforcements, with Walker almost certainly still a target following Barrie McKay’s move to Nottingham Forest.
However, Hearts boss Ian Cathro has told The Scottish Sun that he wants to draw a line under the speculation, both for Hearts and for Walker as they attempt to plug on together in the face of rumours.
Steve McClaren (R) with Ian Cathro
Cathro added that he wants to support Walker and make him feel comfortable with the club despite the likelihood that he will be leaving in a year’s time – and he wants the wide man to be fully focused ahead of the new season.
“I would hope we can draw a line under it,” said Cathro. “Partly for us and partly for Jamie. It can be difficult and there ended up being a lot of stress coming from a number of directions around him.
“My priority was to be able to support him and make sure he felt comfortable here, which he does. He’s part of the group who are training as normal. There’s no situation. A Jamie Walker who is focused, training well and working hard, playing in our team, is a valuable thing,” he added.
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