Rangers move for Hearts striker Kyle Lafferty has hit a “blip” but the deal is still expected to go through, according to a reliable journalist.
Bill Young from RockSportRadio made the claim on Tuesday afternoon, after it had been expected that a deal would have been completed by now.
Young added that Hearts were “holding out” but Rangers were pushing to get the move through before Thursday’s Europa play-off with Ufa.
The deadline for registration for the game is midnight on Wednesday.
Just heard from Dances with Bears, slight blip on Lafferty front, still expected to go through but Hearts holding out and Rangers pushing for completion ahead of Thursday's tie with UFA. More when I get it.
— Bill Young (@BillYoungRadio) August 21, 2018
The move might have been made a little easier after Hearts announced a loan deal for Burnley defender Jimmy Dunne on Tuesday, after an injury suffered by Christophe Berra.
Young claimed that Dunne’s arrival should leave Hearts to focus on the Lafferty deal.
I don't know but I suspect Jambos have been more focussed on getting cover for Berra than completing the Lafferty deal. However with the arrival of the boy from Burnley, that should free things up.
— Bill Young (@BillYoungRadio) August 21, 2018
The Express claimed earlier on Wednesday that Rangers had tabled an improved bid with Hearts reportedly holding out for £750,000.
They had already turned down bids of £200,000, and one of cash plus Lee Wallace.
OPINION
We still think this deal will happen in time for Lafferty to make the bench for the Europa League play-off on Thursday. With Dunne signed, Hearts can concentrate on the Lafferty deal and getting it done quickly should now be a priority for both sides. Lafferty couldn’t play against Kilmarnock as he was cup-tied but Rangers would like to have him on the bench for the crunch game on Thursday. Some sort of compromise can surely be met, although if Hearts are really minded to play hardball then Rangers may well have to pay the full asking price of £750,000. That’s not too much for Lafferty anyway and with time running out, Mark Allen might have to open the purse strings a bit wider. Lafferty hasn’t come out and asked for a move publicly but we imagine that he’d want to return to Ibrox where he’ll feel that he’s got unfinished business. And who wouldn’t want to play for Rangers at the moment under Steven Gerrard?