Gers target Walker set for Ibrox outing
JAMIE WALKER is in line to return to the Hearts starting line-up against Rangers next weekend.
The 24-year-old playmaker was brought back into the fold for the 1-0 win at Kilmarnock, having missed the Jambos’ previous two games after he was deemed to have been adversely affected by the Govan club’s interest.
While Walker was an unused substitute on Saturday, Hearts interim boss Jon Daly revealed the player will be in contention to take to the field at Ibrox.
“We spoke to Jamie and asked questions of him,” Daly said. “The chat was that his head wasn’t in the right place then, but he’s focused and has trained really well this week.
“We just need more of the same from him and he’s back in contention for the game against Rangers.”
Kilmarnock and Hearts went into Saturday’s match on the back of comprehensive defeats at Celtic but it was the visitors that stormed ahead early on when Esmael Goncalves turned Gordon Greer before burying the ball past Jamie MacDonald.
Shortly after taking the lead, the 1,800 travelling Jambos lit up for a second time, this time for Walker’s first-half warm-up. This reception came as no surprise for Daly. “Jamie knows what everyone at the club thinks of him – from myself and the coaching staff to the fans,” he said.
“I had planned to get Jamie on the park and I was very tempted.
“We have huge admiration for him. He’s a fantastic footballer who we want at the football club, whether that’s for this year, or beyond. He knows and that will help him.”