Hearts boss Ian Cathro rules out move for former Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor

HEARTS boss Ian Cathro admits he is on the hunt for a keeper to challenge number one Jack Hamilton – but has ruled out a move for Allan McGregor.

The Jambos boss has been linked with a swoop for the former Rangers stopper.

Reports suggested the Scotland international was set for a Tynecastle switch if he could find a way out of the remaining 12 months on his Hull contract.

But now Cathro has poured cold water on those rumours – although he did confess he is looking to bring in another goalkeeper following 23-year-old Hamilton’s error-strewn end to last season.

Asked about McGregor, the Gorgie head coach replied: “I saw that was something that was written about. I don’t overly understand why, so I’m not going to allow that to be talked about any further.

“We have two goalkeepers who we are doing a lot of work with now. There may be some things we adjust into the new season.

“It is an area of the team where we will look in the market and see if we can find someone to help us.

“Whether we do that or don’t, I don’t know.

“But in Jack we already have a goalkeeper who has significantly more experience than goalkeepers tend to have at his age.

“He’s someone we fully intend on developing and supporting. I have no doubt he will be a future number one for this club.”

Cathro – who confirmed he is eyeing up moves for Northern Ireland defender Michael Smith and Manchester City left-back Ashley Smith-Brown – has already made four signings this summer, with former Rangers hitman Kyle Lafferty the latest to arrive.

The beanpole striker is determined to grab a regular slot in Cathro’s line-up having endured a frustrating three-year stint at Norwich.

In that time, he started just 22 club games and was farmed out on loan to Birmingham and Turkish side Caykur Rizespor.

But his new boss believes his inactivity could spur him on at Tynecastle.

“Kyle is full of hunger to play and I’m excited about that,” he said. “I’m not worried about his lack of football recently and if that feeds into his hunger and motivation to play it could be an advantage.”

Lafferty was no stranger to controversy during his Ibrox days but the 29-year-old insists he has matured as an individual.

And Cathro reckons it would wrong to continue judging his new signing by his previous antics.

He said: “That was a long time ago and I think sometimes we can fall into the habit of repeating the same old story about somebody.

“Some of the stories, are they completely true? Maybe, maybe not.

“It’s unfair to keep going there with that. Kyle is a great character, a really positive personality for the group anf that’s something we wanted to bring to the group.

“Not everyone can take the pressure of wearing our number nine out on that pitch. You have to be able to do that on a football level but also as a person coping with that responsibility.”

Cathro was also relieved to see his chairwoman Ann Budge reject two offers from Rangers for contract rebel Jamie Walker.

Gers fell well short of Hearts’ £1million asking fee and now Cathro hopes he can extend the winger’s deal before it expires next summer.

He said: “The situation with Jamie ended up being a bit too noisy for what it actually was. Some things ended up becoming a bit silly.

“But Jamie has dealt with it fine and trained really well. He is focusing on how he improves himself for next season and he’s in a good place.

“If he doesn’t sign on again his contract will expire and that will be that. But have we given up hope on him agreeing a new deal? Not at all.”