Rangers race to capture Hartley

Rangers were locked in negotiations with Hearts last night in an attempt to sign Paul Hartley.
The Tynecastle club sensationally dropped the Scotland man for yesterday’s game at Ibrox. That prompted more speculation that he will be on his way before Wednesday’s transfer deadline.
And after the two clubs had fought out a goal-less draw, it’s understood talks took place between Sir David Murray and Hearts chairman Roman Romanov inside Ibrox in an attempt to thrash out a transfer fee.
It’s understood Hearts’ major shareholder, Vladimir Romanov, is quite happy to sell Hartley to Rangers if they can match his valuation, rumoured to be £1.5 million.
The Light Blues’ latest bid is believed to fall £300,000 short of that.
Last night, Rangers manager Walter Smith refused to be drawn. All he would say was, “We have bids in for a few players. If we get two of them it would be great. If not, we will wait until the summer.”
It’s no secret Rangers want Hartley, along with Falkirk striker Alan Gow and Wigan midfielder Lee McCulloch.
Hartley has always been Smith’s No. 1 target and, although the player expressed a desire to join Celtic last year, he will have no problems signing for their Old Firm rivals.
Admirer
Smith awarded Hartley his first Scotland cap and has long been an admirer of the former Hamilton, Raith Rovers, Millwall, Hibs and St Johnstone player.
As well as Hartley being left out yesterday, Craig Gordon was also omitted from the Hearts line-up, suggesting the Scotland keeper could also be leaving the club within days.
It is understood there has been no other bid for Gordon apart from the £2.5 million offer from Fulham that was rejected.
Tynecastle coach Valdas Ivanauskas admitted, “I wanted to pick both Paul and Craig Gordon to play against Rangers. It was football politics that stopped me. Also, Craig has a groin injury.”
Hearts stand-in skipper Christophe Berra came out in support of both of his team-mates. “The guys are quality players who deserve great credit for everything they’ve done for this club,” he said.
"People do move on in football, though, so yes they might go to bigger clubs. That happens everywhere — Manchester United, Arsenal, you name it. People leave and they are replaced.
“I’m sure there will be people out there who could replace Craig and Paul. We have a quality squad here and there are lots of players out there.”
Berra did admit that he and his team-mates had been taken aback by the news that the two Scotland internationals would play no part at Ibrox.
“We only found out at 12.30pm when the team lines were
announced by the coach,” he said. “It was a bit of a shock, probably for them as well as us.
“We’re all professionals, though, and have a job to do, so we couldn’t let it affect how we played on the park.”