Jordan McGhee set to join Middlesbrough on loan

Hearts' Jordan McGhee. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The 19-year-old is expected to travel to Teesside today to complete the move on the club’s first day of pre-season training.

McGhee, who has been frustrated by not being able to hold down a regular starting berth, was due to make the switch in January when John Souttar arrived at Tynecastle from Dundee United to increase defensive competition still further.

However, the clubs ran out of time to make the deal happen. McGhee said at the time: “On the night of deadline day, I knew for some time the indication was it was going to happen.

“We ran out of time, basically. I knew what was happening. My bags were packed to go to Middlesbrough. Then I got the call to go back to Edinburgh.

“It was a great opportunity for me, to go and work with great coaches. It was a really enticing club to go to. So it was disappointing.”

It is expected that McGhee will go into the north-east club’s under-21 squad with a view to a possible permanent move south at the end of his Hearts contract next summer.