Rangers have been attempting to sign Hearts winger Jamie Walker.
Hearts manager Ian Cathro has told STV that he hasn’t given up hope of keeping Rangers target Jamie Walker at Tynecastle following bids from Rangers.
Walker, 24, has come up through the ranks with Hearts having joined the club way back in 2003, and he has become a key player at Tynecastle.
The winger hit 12 league goals last season, and he has now racked up 38 goals in 163 league appearances for Hearts whilst becoming one of the top attacking players in the Scottish Premiership.
Celtic’s Stuart Armstrong (L) and Celtic’s Mikael Lustig in action with Heart’s Jamie Walker
Now though, question marks surround the future of the Edinburgh-born wide man. Not only does his contract expire next year – meaning he can walk away from the club for nothing – but he has also been the subject of bids from Rangers.
BBC Sport reported last month that Rangers have had two bids rejected, the latter of which came in at £600,000, and it remains to be seen whether Pedro Caixinha’s men return with another bid.
With the Gers still lurking in the background, Hearts manager Ian Cathro has now discussed Walker’s future whilst speaking to STV.
Cathro has suggested that the situation surrounding Walker’s future has been ‘too noisy’ and ‘a bit silly’ amid bids from Rangers, but did admit that the winger has been dealing well with the speculation.
Ian Cathro (L)
Cathro added that he and Hearts have yet to give up hope of keeping Walker in the long-term, though the honest truth is that Walker is surely set for a move away having failed to sign a new deal.
“The situation with Jamie ended up being a bit too noisy for what it actually was,” said Walker. “Some things ended up becoming a bit silly. But Jamie has dealt with it fine and trained really well.”
“He is focusing on how he improves himself for next season and he’s in a good place. If he doesn’t sign on again his contract will expire and that will be that. But have we given up hope on him agreeing a new deal? Not at all,” he added.
Would you like to see Rangers sign Walker?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
