Agent warns Ryan McGowan may be forced to seek move

HEARTS defender Ryan McGowan’s agent fears he will be left with no option but to initiate a fresh move for the player unless progress can be made over contract talks.

The player’s representative Lou Sticca insists there has been little contact with the Tynecastle outfit since an initial offer of fresh terms, which he described as “demeaning”, was tabled four weeks ago.

Sticca is particularly frustrated by the lack of progress since McGowan, who decided against following David Templeton to Rangers on transfer deadline day after rejecting a deal, still sees his immediate future being with the club he joined as a 17-year-old in 2006.

McGowan, who has become something of a Hearts cult hero after scoring in May’s Scottish Cup final win over Hibs and turning down Rangers, is free to speak to other clubs from January with his deal due to expire next summer.

As the player is already 23 years old, Hearts would not be entitled to training compensation should he move on at the end of the season.

Sticca said: “Hearts made an initial offer which was not much better than he is on at the moment. You could describe it as demeaning to Ryan. I’m a bit concerned with the lack of progress on that front.

“We have invited Hearts to put something else forward but they don’t seem to be treating it with any great urgency.

“From 1 January, Ryan can sign with another club. We’re not the typical agent that looks forward to January 1 to get players moves but Hearts are putting us in a 
situation that we will have to start looking at other options.

“Ryan loves the club and he would like to stay. The player turned down a very lucrative offer to go to Rangers. It would have set him up for life. The player showed his loyalty to the club but so far it’s not been 
reciprocated.”

Sticca, who also represents McGowan’s brother Dylan at Hearts, is sure his client will not be short of offers if Hearts do not table a contract offer that is regarded as acceptable.

He added: “The football market is very competitive and, if Hearts don’t look to tie down one of their assets, someone 
else will.

“He has been very loyal to Hearts and see his future at the club but, if Hearts are not serious about keeping him, we’ll begrudgingly have to start looking at other options.

“We’re waiting, waiting and waiting but nothing seems to be happening.

“Ryan is not the only one. His brother Dylan, who has broken into the team this season, is also out of contract and they must decide if they rate the brothers.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Scott Robinson believes he can create and score goals in his new advanced role at Tynecastle.

Robinson was unleashed further up the park in Hearts’ 3-1 Scottish Communities League Cup victory over Livingston on Tuesday evening.

The 20-year-old told Hearts TV: “I enjoy getting more forward and getting in the box and creating chances for others.

“I’m looking to make more of an impact on the game. Hopefully, I have done enough to 
impress the gaffer and I can keep the position and get into attacking positions and get some goals for the team.”

Robinson has scored three goals for Hearts and was frustrated that he could not add to his tally in the third-round win, with former Hibernian goalkeeper Andrew McNeil in his way. Robinson said: “I came off at half-time thinking ‘what do I need to do to score?’

“The keeper had a great save from my header and I had a left-footed shot that he made a good save from, although I could have done a bit better too.

“I had another couple of half-chances in the second half. I’m sure if I keep getting in the right positions, it will come.”