GERS CLOSE IN ON HARTLEY

RANGERS have stepped up their bid to land Hearts midfielder Paul Hartley and could seal a deal for the Scotland star in the next 48 hours.

The Jambos are desperate to sell the player before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.

And it's understood the clubs were locked in talks last night over a £1.25million transfer. Hartley could be joined on the way out by keeper Craig Gordon after both players were dropped for yesterday's 0-0 draw at Ibrox.

Head coach Valdas Ivanauskas told them hours before kick-off and said it was a "business decision" made by owner Vladimir Romanov.

Ivanauskas wanted to play both but said: "Sometimes it's all about football politics and football business.

"Especially in the case of Paul, it was about business."

Gordon was at yesterday's game but Hartley left the team camp before lunchtime. The 30-year-old is keen to quit Tynecastle and Gers are now hot favourites to land him.

However, Premiership clubs Aston Villa and Blackburn are also interested while Celtic can't be ruled out from making a bid if the Ibrox deal collapses.

Gers boss Walter Smith said: "We have bids in for a number of players and don't know yet the ones we will be able to get in."

However, while Hartley seems set to go, Gordon's future is more unclear.

The Scotland No.1 has told the club he doesn't want to leave and is keen to stay until the summer at least.

Fulham want to sign the £4million-rated star but the player will wait to see if more options become available.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is an admirer but it's understood the Highbury gaffer doesn't rate Gordon as his main target.

Hearts hope to secure planning permission this week for improvements worth £6m at Tynecastle.

Selling their two prize assets will pay for most of that and stop them from increasing a debt which stands at around £25m.

Ivanauskas wouldn't comment on that but added: "We deserved a draw. The boys were under pressure in the second half but we had good discipline.

"Steve Banks was also good in goal. Hibs and Aberdeen won today so we know we have to fight with them and Rangers for the European places."

Ibrox gaffer Smith wants to recruit a striker to help his side seal second spot.

But he admitted: "It's not easy to get strikers as clubs don't want to sell players who can score them goals."

Taken from the Sunday Mail