Binos want to hold on to Hearts duo

STIRLING Albion are in discussions with Hearts to extend loan agreements for striker Gordon Smith and defender Jonathan Brown, both of whom are due to return to Tynecastle in January.

John O'Neill, the Stirling manager, is highly impressed with both players and has approached their parent club in an effort to keep them at Forthbank Stadium until the end of the season.

Brown, 20, has delivered a series of impressive displays at-full-back, whilst 19-year-old Smith has scored six goals in nine games and is joint-top scorer in the First Division alongside Dunfermline's Andy Kirk.

Hearts' intentions for Brown and Smith were to allow them game time at Stirling this season to enhance their development, but that experiment could now be extended if O'Neill gets his way.

"Gordon has been outstanding and has got the headlines, but Jonathan is also getting better with every game," said O'Neill.

Brown has played six times for Stirling to date but his Hearts contract expires at the end of the season.