Wallace still has Heart in Tynecastle

The Scotland left-back was the subject of a 300,000 offer from Rangers last month and is also being monitored closely by Wolverhampton Wanderers as he enters the final year of his contract.

However, he is determined to focus solely on Hearts and stressed that he is not unduly troubled by talk of a transfer. "It does not affect me at all, to be honest. You read stuff in the paper or when folk are texting you asking what's going on but it's just the same response from me," said Wallace.

"I always say that until anything is concrete I'll come into Hearts every morning, get my head down and work hard. That's what I'll continue to do. I'll stay focused on the job in hand and that's how it should be."

Hearts dismissed Rangers' offer instantly although Wolves could be willing to pay up to 1?million for Wallace if Hearts are prepared to sell.

Wallace did not feature in last night's friendly against Cowdenbeath at Central Park, where Hearts lost 2-1. Jordan Morton, a Hearts youth player, struck the opener for Cowdenbeath, where he is on trial ahead of a prospective loan move. Stephen Elliott equalised from the penalty spot in the second half but Lewis Milne headed the winner five minutes from full-time.

John Sutton, the Hearts striker, pulled out of the match during the warm-up but manager Jim Jefferies stressed afterwards that his groin complain was not considered serious. Jefferies felt the problem could have been caused by training yesterday morning at Riccarton then attempting to play at night. "We put the boys through a tough session (yesterday morning) because it's pre-season," he said.

"John went out and said he felt his groin and there was no point in risking it. It is important he gets some rest and hopefully he will be okay for the weekend."

Arvydas Novikovas played last night, as did Eggert Jonsson who made his first appearance of the pre-season campaign. Afterwards, Novikovas underlined his determination to establish himself in the Hearts first-team this season after a disappointing period on loan at St Johnstone.

"I feel great with Hearts and hopefully I can play more this time than I did last season," said the Lithuanian internationalist. "I definitely don't want to go on loan again, I want to stay here for the whole season.

"It was bad that I went on loan, it was a mistake. I didn't play much so I don't want to leave Hearts."