NEW HEARTS BOSS RULES OUT LOAN MOVE FOR GAULD

IAN CATHRO has poured cold water on the idea that he might be able to lure Ryan Gauld to Tynecastle on loan. The new Hearts coach helped launch the £3million midfielder’s career through his Box Soccer coaching programme and later watched him break into the Dundee United first team before earning his big-money transfer to Sporting Lisbon in 2014.

Gauld has found it tough to make the breakthrough in Portugal but, as he prepares to celebrate his 21st birthday this Friday, Cathro believes his former prodigy is starting to make a proper impression.

Loaned out to Vitoria Setubal for the season, Gauld has gradually been seeing more game time in the Premeira Liga and, although he joked about bringing the attacking midfielder to Edinburgh during his introductory press conference in midweek, Cathro insists it is not an option currently on the table.

‘It’s not something that has crossed my mind yet,’ he insisted. ‘If everything is right for everyone — no matter who it is — you’d look into it. But it doesn’t really align right now.

‘I’ve been impressed by how strong Ryan has been with himself. That will be invaluable to him in life and in his football career. He’s at a point where he’s starting to break into the Vitoria Setubal side. I watched one of the games and he’s being asked to do different things. He’s had to change aspects of his play, which he’s done well.’