Rangers are closing in on a move for Cammy Devlin after the Australian midfielder brought his five-year spell at Hearts to an end.
The 28-year-old was a key figure in Hearts’ impressive Premiership title challenge last season, establishing himself as one of the club’s most important players.
Hearts had offered Devlin terms that would have made him the highest-paid player at Tynecastle, demonstrating just how highly they valued his contribution to the squad.
Despite the generous offer, Hearts issued a statement confirming that Devlin had failed to give the club a definitive answer ahead of their stated deadline.
Rangers manager Derek McInnes is now hoping to reunite with the midfielder at Ibrox, having previously worked with Devlin during his time as Hearts boss.
It is understood that a move for Devlin is now progressing positively, with McInnes a clear admirer of the Australian’s qualities and Premiership experience.
The Ibrox recruitment team view Devlin’s familiarity with Scottish football as a significant attraction, giving Rangers confidence that he can make an immediate impact.
Hearts manager Wouter Vrancken expressed his frustration at the situation, saying: “It’s disappointing because I had a good phone call with him and I sent some text messages with him. It’s always disappointing to see a player go who has personality and quality. I think he could bring us good things but you cannot keep waiting for him to decide. When he really wants to stay, he could decide earlier, or today.”
Devlin himself acknowledged the difficulty of departing Tynecastle, stating: “Saying goodbye is never easy, especially to a club that has meant so much to me. After five unforgettable years, the time has come for me to say goodbye to Heart of Midlothian Football Club.”
Devlin’s exit is part of a significant summer exodus from Hearts, with Lawrence Shankland also joining Rangers alongside departures including Michael Steinwender, Frankie Kent, Beni Baningime, and Alan Forrest.
The World Cup squad member’s availability on a free transfer makes the deal particularly attractive to Rangers as they continue rebuilding their squad under McInnes.
Rangers are simultaneously in talks over deals for Jens Hjerto-Dahl and Vanja Dragojevic, with Tromso reportedly seeking a package of around £8.5 million for Hjerto-Dahl.
The pursuit of Hjerto-Dahl is complicated by competition from clubs in Germany and England, making the Devlin deal a more straightforward priority for the Ibrox side.
