Hearts are seeking at least £1m for Walker

HEARTS head coach Ian Cathro has gone public with the club’s valuation of Rangers target Jamie Walker — insisting that nothing less than £1million will prise the winger away from Tynecastle.

Rangers have had bids up to just short of £700,000 knocked back for a player entering the final year of his contract, having rejected a new deal to stay in Gorgie.

Cathro is quite open about exactly what it will take for the Ibrox side to get their man, insisting: ‘If we’re looking at the market, I don’t think you bring a player of Jamie’s quality to your club for anything less than a million pounds.

‘Jamie is one of the most talented players in the country and can go on to play at a very high level in the game.

‘So he will not be leaving here for anything other than (an offer) that reflects that.

‘If there is going to be a set of circumstances which take him away from our team, then they’re going to have to reflect the quality — and also the potential — of the player.

‘My understanding is that there has been nothing of the sort and, that being the case, I look forward to working with him.’ Former team-mate Ryan Stevenson believes Walker has the confidence and ability to improve any team lucky enough to acquire his skills, thrills and goals from midfield.

Stevenson recalls the ‘swagger’ Walker had when he was first promoted from the youth ranks into the Tynecastle first-team squad back in 2013 but admits the youngster soon displayed the talent to back it up.

‘He had a bit about him,’ said Stevenson with a wide grin. ‘We went into administration and there were a couple of boys who came in with a bit of swagger about them.

‘Jamie came into the first-team dressing room, had only been in a few days and he had his feet beneath the table.

‘He was also one who came in that a few older boys thought: “Very good, we will see how he goes… we’ll give him a few in training!”.

‘He was one of those boys who made you think: “He has ability, no doubt — but will he work hard enough?”. And I think he has shown that he has. His quality speaks for itself.

‘Being the boy he is, he enjoys that kind of thing, being the centre of attention. At Rangers, you’ve got to enjoy that — so I don’t see playing at Ibrox fazing him.

‘Rangers are obviously a massive club not just in Britain but in the world. But, knowing the way Jamie is, he will use that as a positive not a negative.

‘If he does go there I am sure he will do very well. Any team he goes into, he will improve.

‘And, if he goes and plays with better players, then he will improve as well.

‘If you are scoring 15 goals plus a season from his position, you are going to make a lot of money — and you are going to be worth a lot of money. They are like hen’s teeth, midfielders who can go and score you goals.

‘These guys are worth their weight in gold.’

Walker’s decision to turn down a new contract offer from Hearts, contributing to a deterioration of the relationship between player and employer, was certainly a bold move for a footballer yet to celebrate his 24th birthday.

‘Probably the biggest thing for him is his wee boy being born,’ added Stevenson. ‘That has grounded him. As much as he has a head full of broken bottles at times, he is a sensible enough guy.’

Polish defender Rafal Grzelak, meanwhile, insists he is ready for the rough and tumble of Scottish football after joining Hearts.

The 28-year-old, who has signed a two-year deal pending a medical, told the club website: ‘I am a strong player, who likes to tackle, and I prepare myself well for the physical side of the game. But I am also very calm on the ball.’

l Ryan Stevenson is coaching at the week-long PFA Scotland Showcase and Exit Trial for players out of contract, culminating in a showpiece match at Broadwood tomorrow, with a 3pm kick-off.