Cowie: Walker is worth £1m tag

HEARTS stalwart Don Cowie is adamant the Jambos are right to demand a £1million windfall for Jamie Walker as he insisted another campaign at Tynecastle could be his gateway to the Scotland squad.

Rangers have stepped up their chase for the want-away playmaker this summer, with a recent bid of around £500,000 plus add-ons thrown out by the capital club.

Walker, 22, has told Hearts he will not sign a new deal and, with his contract due to expire next summer, the Gorgie outfit are willing to listen to offers for the player, who is also attracting interest from south of the border.

Nevertheless, they are unwilling to let him go on the cheap and, while head coach Ian Cathro this week suggested his true value was closer to £3m, they will at least demand seven figures.

Walker is keen on a switch to Ibrox, but he was back on Hearts duty yesterday as the players underwent fitness tests.

Cowie said: “Jamie’s our player right now. The club has made a stance with the value that they see him at.

“He had a fantastic three-quarters of a season last year. There weren’t many better in this country than him in the area he was playing in terms of end product and goals.

“So it is only right that the club want what he is worth.

“What’s important for Jamie is that he does it throughout a season. If he does that, that’s when you can start talking about Scottish recognition because he has the ability to do that.”

And Cowie, capped 10 times for Scotland, reckons Walker CAN realise his international aspirations by carrying out a shock u-turn and staying at Tynecastle.

Cowie continued: “It can only be helped by the fact Christophe Berra is here, an established part of the national side, maybe more people will watch Jamie.

“I don’t see why another season at Hearts can’t get him in the Scotland squad. It is up to him to keep playing well, improving and add consistency to his game.”