Hearts duo Sean McKirdy & Liam Henderson train with Falkirk

Sean McKirdy impressed Bairns boss Peter Houston. Picture: SNS

The pair, who are both expected to play in this evening’s SFA Youth Cup final against Motherwell at Hampden, recently trained with the Bairns as they weigh up their options for next season.

Falkirk manager Peter Houston is understood to have been impressed, particularly by gifted playmaker McKirdy, but is reluctant to make any move until his budget for next season is confirmed.

That will not become clear until Falkirk know which division the club will be playing in, with the Championship club still firmly in the hunt for promotion to the Premiership through the play-offs.

“I think they’ve been told they might be allowed to move on so I asked if I could see them in training,” said Houston. “I believe Sean has been interesting a few other clubs, too.

“They are two young lads who came in and trained really well, their attitude was brilliant and their performances were very good.”

Houston added: “I’ll need to find out my budget and see what division we are in. Put it this way, if it suited our budget and situation, and both players were still looking for a club, then I would maybe ask one, or both, if they were interested in coming here.”

McKirdy, 18, has long been regarded as one of the brightest talents at Hearts and has already made six appearances for the capital club, including his top-flight league debut against Inverness last September. But with a wealth of options in midfield, and the predicted emergence of Angus Beith next term, he will be allowed to leave.

Henderson, 19, joined Hearts from Hutchison Vale in 2014. He spent the first half of this season on loan with Stenhousemuir.