Hearts in no rush to offload David Templeton

Charles Green, Rangers’ chief executive, has spoken with senior Tynecastle officials about the Glasgow club’s interest in Templeton, however Hearts are unlikely to entertain any bid less than £500,000.

The Edinburgh club are reluctant to sell the 23-year-old before the transfer window closes tomorrow night and the only thing that would persuade them is what they would consider a “substantial fee”.

Templeton’s contract expires next June and he is also being monitored by clubs in England. It is unclear at this stage if he would be willing to swap the Scottish Premier League with Hearts to play for Rangers in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Rangers manager Ally McCoist has long been an admirer of Templeton and believes the player could enhance his squad long-term. With a 12-month transfer embargo about to take effect on September 1, McCoist is keen to assemble an extensive array of players who will serve Rangers for the next year whilst reinforcements are forbidden.

Green is expected to continue his discussions with the Hearts hierarchy and has also indicated that Rangers are monitoring Callum Paterson, the 17-year-old who has made a big impact at Tynecastle this year.

Ahead of tonight’s Europa League play-off return leg with Liverpool, the Hearts manager John McGlynn admitted that, in general, any serious offer for any of his players would at least be considered by the club’s board.

“Possibly we could lose players because that’s the state of affairs in Scotland. If that was the case we’d have to deal with it,” said McGlynn. “If we get young players coming through and they do well, then in the current climate I’d imagine Hearts will have to sell. It might crop up and we have to accept that and deal with it. I’m not convinced on either ins or outs, though.”