As Rangers plan pre-contract agreement, Kris Commons suggests English interest in Jamie Walker

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Rangers are reportedly continuing to pursue Hearts winger Jamie Walker.

Pundit Kris Commons has told BBC Sport Scotland’s Facebook page that he thinks English clubs could make moves to sign Rangers target Jamie Walker in January, given his contract situation.

Walker, 24, has come up through the ranks with Hearts, and has become one of the most important first-team players at Tynecastle, as he enjoyed his best season to date last term.

The winger hit 15 goals in all competitions to cement himself as one of the most dangerous attacking players in Scottish football, and that unsurprisingly attracted interest this past summer.

With Rangers looking for a winger to replace Barrie McKay, BBC Sport reported in June that the Gers had failed with two bids to land Walker, and whilst many expected him to move to Ibrox before the deadline, no deal materialised.

The Scottish Sun now report that Hearts failed with three attempts to land Rangers played in part-exchange for Walker, and with his contract up at the end of the season, and no intention of renewing, the Gers are believed to be lining up a pre-contract agreement for the winger once the January transfer window opens.

Whilst 11 summer signings should boost manager Pedro Caixinha, Walker is currently the one that got away after a lengthy pursuit – and pundit Kris Commons has offered something of a warning to Rangers.

Commons has told BBC Sport Scotland’s Facebook page that he is still expecting wantaway Walker to work hard and perform despite his desire ot leave Hearts, even suggesting that English clubs could now rival Rangers for Walker’s signature in the new year.

Commons added that Hearts will now have to drop their asking price for Walker to a maximum of just £300,000, noting that Walker is now in a very strong position regarding his future, but he must continue to play well after being left out of the Hearts side in the early stages of this season.

“I think he will be professional, work hard and do everything in his power to play well,” said Commons. “He’s in a very, very strong position now, where he’s in the last year of his contract, where the interest from down south might generate, but he’s going to have to perform well. If he performs well, it might generate interest in England where they can come in and buy him, but they aren’t going to be getting any £1million fees like Hearts were demanding, it would be around £250,000 to £300,000? Jamie is in a win-win situation, if he plays well and is professional,” he added.