HEARTS ADD HALLIDAY

Former Rangers stalwart joins Championship club

HEARTS last night bolstered their midfield options ahead of a the Championship season by signing former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday.

The 28- year- old sealed a switch to Tynecastle on a twoyear deal after being released by his childhood club earlier this summer.

Halliday exited Ibrox after making a total of 152 appearances and scoring 18 goals along the way.

And with stints at Livingston, Middlesbrough, Walsall, Blackpool and Bradford City to his name, the Gorgie club have added a wealth of experience to their books.

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson hailed the signing late yesterday evening, saying: “I’m really pleased to be able to bring in someone of Andy’s experience and quality.

“He’s played top- level football in Scotland and in the English Championship and was a mainstay at Rangers for years.

“He’s also got experience of the Scottish Championship, so he knows what this level is about and, more importantly, how to win.

“Andy’s really driven and determined and I want that on the park.

I think he’ll do well for us and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

One of Halliday’s first games for his new club will take place at Hampden against Edinburgh rivals Hibs, after the SFA yesterday revealed the dates of the upcoming Scottish Cup semi- finals. Hearts will face off against the Easter Road outfit on October 31 in Glasgow, with the action getting underway at 5pm. The match will be shown live on both the BBC and Premier Sports.

Celtic will take on Aberdeen a day later on Sunday November 1, with kick- off taking place at 2: 30pm. The game will be aired on Premier Sports.

Neil Lennon’s Hoops are aiming to lift the trophy for a fourth successive season, after the competition was paused in March due to the Covid- 19 pandemic.

Both matches are set to take place behind closed doors due to the fresh coronavirus restrictions brought in by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.