GERS HART BID KO'D

RANGERS last night had a £600,000 bid for Paul Hartley booted out by Hearts.

The Tynecastle club rejected the offer on the day Craig Gordon's agent rubbished a possible move to Russia for the Jambos keeper. But although there is renewed uncertainty over the future of the Scotland goalie, Hartley remains a top target for Rangers and they are likely to make an increased offer, possibly around £750,000, today.

Ibrox boss Walter Smith has been interested in the midfielder since agreeing to take over from Paul Le Guen and could fund the deal by selling Thomas Buffel to Hannover.

Smith, who last night failed in a third bid to sign Falkirk striker Alan Gow, held off making a move for Hartley until the weekend when it became clear he is finished at Tynecastle. The midfielder was axed along with Gordon for the SPL clash against Rangers and Smith was told about his availability.

Celtic are also monitoring Hartley's situation and are considering coming in with an offer. It's understood there is also serious interest from a number of clubs in England.

Hearts also want to cash in on Gordon but the keeper's agent claimed he would never entertain a move to Russia.

Jambos owner Vladimir Romanov has been sounding out the two big Russian clubs, Spartak and CSKA Moscow, and touting Gordon around his homeland in an attempt to start some sort of bidding war.

But Evans said: "There are two factors in any transfer deal.

First the clubs have to agree a transfer fee and the second is the player agrees terms and decides he wishes to join that particular club. Unless you have both elements in place business cannot be done.

"Do you think Craig Gordon would be interested in going to Russia to play for those clubs?

"Craig was told he would not be playing against Rangers on Saturday because Hearts were negotiating his transfer."

Fulham had a £4million bid rejected after the Gorgie club said they wanted £10-12m.

However, Hearts may be tempted to try to do business if aclub is willing to offer £5m.

Gow's position was also uncertain last night and he may now need to sign a pre-contract with his boyhood heroes.

Smith had hoped an increased offer, believed to be closer to £200,000 than the £100,000 original bid, would be enough.

But Bairns boss John Hughes has always said he would be prepared to lose the player for nothing in the summer rather than watch him leave with much of the season to go.

It's now highly unlikely Smith will come in with a fourth bid and will have to wait until Gow's deal runs out in July.

While Rangers are keen to land Gow and Hartley, Buffel looks to be be on his way out.

Bundesliga outfit Hannover are trying to convince the Belgian to join them after being given permission to speak to the player.

But club chief Christian Hochstatter admitted he could be beaten by the deadline.

Taken from the Daily Record