Derby County manager Steve McClaren has confirmed his interest in four Hearts players.
Having brought Ian Cathro to Newcastle United 18 months ago, you could perhaps say the newly-hired Hearts boss owes one to Steve McClaren.
Now the manager of Derby County, the timing of his old colleague’s appointment is somewhat convenient for McClaren, who has confirmed his presence at Tynecastle last week was to check on a quartet of Hearts players ahead of the January window.
Callum Paterson, John Souttar, Jamie Walker and Bjorn Johnsen were each identified as ones to ‘have a look at’ by McClaren, and Cathro’s new role could be the green light for which the Rams boss was waiting as he looks to add to his squad this winter.
Given the financial might of even England’s Championship clubs these days, Hearts stand little chance of being able to resist Derby’s advances should the Rams make a serious approach for any of the above players next month.
However, given that other clubs – notably Celtic (Paterson) and Aston Villa (Souttar) – have also been credited with an interest in Hearts’ produce, McClaren will perhaps be put at ease knowing he has Cathro in the opposite camp, ready to steer them in the direction of Pride Park.
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