Rangers chance of Jamie Walker deal going right to the wire

Pedro Caixinha's pursuit of Hearts' Jamie Walker looks no closer to completion - despite the clubs re-opening deadline day talks.

Published 31st Aug 2017

Ibrox boss Pedro Caixinha has been trailing the Tynecastle playmaker all summer but has so far baulked at the Jambos' #1million asking price.

It appeared, however, that things were moving towards a conclusion when it emerged early on Thursday afternoon that talks over a possible deal had resumed.

Press Association Sport understands a package that would have seen Gers offer up a lump sum plus a player swap was mooted.

But Hearts say they have yet to receive an official offer from the Ibrox camp.

Rangers are remaining patient, though, and are confident they will land the player on a pre-contract come January at the very worst.

That could yet prompt Hearts into lowering their valuation of the player closer towards the #600,000 mark which the Light Blues offered back in June.

If Rangers can push a deal through it would represent a fruitful end to the window having already wrapped up a one-year loan swoop for Cardiff defender Declan John.

The Wales international became Caixinha's 11th summer signing after checking into Ibrox early on Thursday morning and will now be asked to challenge Rangers skipper Lee Wallace for a starting spot in the Light Blues' line-up.

John has been capped twice for his country but has fallen out of Cardiff boss Neil Warnock's plans.

Meanwhile, Celtic assistant boss Chris Davies has confirmed the Hoops are still hopeful of boosting their squad ahead of the deadline.

Brendan Rodgers' team have a Champions League campaign to prepare for but are short on cover at the centre of defence and up front.

Their attempt to lure Jason Denayer back for a second Parkhead loan stint failed when he chose a return to Galatasaray but a loan swoop for Paris St Germain's teenage frontman Odsonne Edouard remains on the cards.

Davies told the Celtic website: It's quite late on the window but we are still working away on one or two possibilities but there is nothing definitive in terms of the number of players.

The club are still working hard to see if there is anything more we can do and if there is something right for us, it will be done.''

Craig Levein became the first Ladbrokes Premiership manager to complete a deadline-day signing as the new Hearts boss landed Raith Rovers captain Ross Callachan on a two-year deal after paying the Fifers an undisclosed fee - while youngster Dario Zanetta has gone in the opposite direction after sealing a year-long loan.

A move for Genoa attacker Manuel Milinkovic is also expected to be pushed through before the midnight deadline, while defender Jordan McGhee has also completed his expected move to Falkirk.

Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson is stepping up his search for a new centre-back after defender Ben Heneghan sealed his move to Sheffield United.

But there was good news for the Northern Irishman after Oxford's #450,000 bid for wideman Chris Cadden was rebuffed.

And Fir Park chiefs were also left to celebrate a major windfall after former Well ace Marvin Johnson completed his #3million move to Middlesbrough. The Steelmen inserted a sell-on clause when they allowed him to join Oxford last summer and are due 25 per cent of the Boro fee.

Aberdeen have offloaded striker Jayden Stockley to Exeter, while Partick Thistle made a late swoop for Paul McGinn. Jags boss Alan Archibald was forced to dip back into the transfer market after seeing left-back Callum Booth ruled out for three months with a knee injury.

Former Dumbarton, Dundee and Chesterfield defender McGinn - brother of Hibs star John and St Mirren skipper Stephen - has signed a one-year deal, subject to a full medical on Monday.

Hamilton have also taken the opportunity to strengthen their squad, signing Swansea's former Scotland Under-19 forward Botti Biabi on a loan deal until January.

Biabi came through the ranks at Falkirk and won a move to Wales back in 2015 - but has yet to make his Swans first-team breakthrough