WIGAN’S SECOND BID FOR CALLUM REFUSED

HEARTS and Wigan Athletic are ‘miles apart’ in their valuation of Callum Paterson after the Tynecastle club rejected a second improved bid for the defender. A week after Gary Caldwell’s English Championship outfit had an offer in the region of £500,000 turned down, Wigan returned with a second bid yesterday but Hearts have again rejected their advances. Officials at the Edinburgh club have indicated that there is little chance of a deal being concluded between the two parties as things stand, with the two said to be ‘miles apart’ in their estimation of the 21-year-old’s worth. Even though the Scotland right-back, who was included in Gordon Strachan’s squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier in Malta, only has a year to run on his contract, Hearts value the player at closer to £1million. Head coach Robbie Neilson said yesterday: ‘Callum is a Scotland international, he’s played 150 games here and he scores goals from right-back. ‘Unless an offer comes in that we feel is acceptable, he’ll be staying here. ‘It’s up to a team to come in and make an acceptable offer for him. ‘Ten or 15 years ago, any offer that came in we woud have had to take it. We’re in a great position now financially, so we can keep a hold of our assets. ‘I don’t think Callum is unsettled by it. Although he’s young, he’s an experienced boy. He’s played for Scotland, he’s played a lot for Hearts and he’s mature enough to know that these things happen in football.’