Lafferty negotiations ongoing but Levein ‘not resigned to losing him’

Hearts manager Craig Levein is adamant that Kyle Lafferty’s anticipated move to Rangers is not yet a fait accompli but he added that talks between the clubs are ongoing.

It is understood the Ibrox club, whose early bids were rejected after they fell well shy of Hearts’ £750,000 valuation of the player, are ready to up their offer for the 30- yearold Northern Ireland international as they attempt to land their man before the end of the transfer window.

“We are still talking. The dialogue has been sporadic. The Lafferty deal is not dead,” said Levein, pictured. “I don’t want to go into any details but I am not resigned to losing him.”

Of more pressing concern is the task to replaceinjured captain Christophe Berra.

“I don’t expect anybody in by the weekend but I will definitely look to bring someone in on a season-long loan because even if Christophe comes back in six months it takes time to get back up to speed. I know I am not going to get another Christophe so I have to be quite specific about what I want. We won’t miss him off the field because he will still be here and doing stuff with the players and keeping everybody focused. But, on the field he will be a loss.”

● Hearts forward Dario Zanatta has joined Alloa on loan until January. The 21-year-old signed three years ago from Vancouver Whitecaps. He has made 18 first-team appearances, scoring one goal.