Mcgowan leaves ahead of derby

RYAN McGOWAN has bid farewell to his Hearts team-mates ahead of a likely move to Shandong Luneng in the Chinese Super League.

Financially-troubled Hearts have accepted a bid believed to be worth about £400,000 for the 23- year- old Australia international, whose contract is due to expire at the end of the season.

Right-back McGowan has been withdrawn from the Hearts squad for tonight’s Edinburgh derby with Hibernian in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and is due to travel to China.

Hearts manager John McGlynn said: “The club have accepted a bid for Ryan so he won’t play any part in the game tomorrow.

“Although he’s not put pen to paper, we run the risk of him getting injured. If he got an injury that deal would go down the tube and the football club need the money.

“It's disappointing to lose him but it’s the state of affairs. If good offers come in, in the financial situation we find ourselves in, we need to accept them.”

McGowan joined Hearts in June 2006 and has made more than 70 appearances for the club, establishing himself as a first-team regular in the last 18 months.

With Jamie Hamill still out with a knee injury, the promotion of youth appears to be the most likely option at Tynecastle against Hibs, unless midfielder Darren Barr is switched to full-back.

Hibernian defender R ya n McGivern is expected to be fit for the derby after training yesterday.

The on-loan Manchester City defender missed Saturday’s 1-0 win over league leaders Celtic due to a hamstring problem.

McGivern could replace Lewis Stevenson at left-back tonight.