Hearts up stakes in Mehdi Taouil bid

The Edinburgh club are also intend to grant a new deal to striker Gordon Smith, currently on loan at Stirling Albion. Taouil has visited Riccarton and spoken to Jim Jefferies, the Hearts manager, about moving to Edinburgh in time for next season. He is out of contract in June and therefore available to talk to any interested parties.

"Hearts have been polite enough to inform us they're having talks with him," said Mixu Paatelainen, the Kilmarnock manager. "Their budget is many times bigger than ours so it's very likely they have much more resources to lure him."

Paatelainen will endeavour to keep the Moroccan internationalist at Rugby Park if at all possible. "When I spoke to Mehdi, he said this is his most enjoyable season so far in Scotland. He's loved every minute of it," he continued. "He enjoys the way we play and his role in the team, so these are very good reasons to stay at the club."

Nine goals in 23 appearances for Stirling this season appear to have convinced Hearts to sanction a new contract for 20-year-old Smith. The player revealed today that he has been reassured of his future by his parent club.

"I've been told I'm getting a new contract soon, which is

great to hear," said Smith. "The manager told me to go out on loan to get experience and it has been brilliant.

"I've learned a lot since I came to Albion and I've also got a few goals."

Meanwhile, Partick Thistle are keen to extend Ryan McGowan's loan agreement after a series of impressive displays from the Australian in the Firhill midfield. McGowan's emergency loan deal expires at the end of the month but the Firhill management team of Ian McCall and Ally Maxwell will contact Hearts about an extension.

"Ryan has done well in recent weeks," said Maxwell. "Above all else he is a nice big guy. He is willing to learn, works hard and has a great attitude. He probably still needs a few more games to get match fit but he is steadily getting there.

"Ryan's size is obviously an asset and gives us a threat at set pieces in attacking situations while also being useful for defending set plays at the other end. He will be an important member of the squad as long as he is here."

McGowan delivered possibly his finest performance for Thistle in Tuesday night's 3-1 win over Queen of the South. He has made four appearances for the First Division club to date.