HEARTS were today bracing themselves to resist Rangers' advances for their first-choice goalkeeper Steve Banks, who is wanted as understudy to Allan McGregor at Ibrox.
Rangers have yet to make a formal offer for Banks but manager Walter Smith is ready to act on the recommendation of his goalkeeping coach Jim Stewart, a former Tynecastle employee.
TARGET: Steve Banks
Smith's second-choice goalkeeper, Roy Carroll, has a verbal agreement in place to join English Premier League club Derby County and the need for experienced cover has turned the attention towards Banks. Graeme Smith remains third choice at Ibrox.
Hearts are reluctant to lose the veteran Banks with only the erratic pair of Anthony Basso and Eduardas Kurskis as back-up. The Englishman's contract expires at the end of the season but he is likely to welcome any offer from Ibrox as his 36th birthday approaches.
Any potential transfer could be delayed due to the fact that Pedro Lopez, deputy chief executive at Tynecastle, is currently on holiday and isn't expected back until next week.
Meanwhile, Hearts striker Mauricio Pinilla was due in London today to consult a specialist on the knee ligament damage which has ended his season. Should the Chilean striker require an operation, it will be performed in Santiago by the respected surgeon Alejandro Orizola.
Pinilla's relationship with Orizola dates back to his formative years with Universidad de Chile, and he is adamant that only the Chilean surgeon will be entrusted with the task of repairing his right knee.
"I will operate with doctor Orizola in Chile, one of the best in the world, and I expect to return," said Pinilla.
Ricardo Pinilla, the player's father, admits that surgery is likely. "Up to now, what has been reported to me is that it is more feasible to have an operation," he explained.
"Mauricio has accepted this, he has shown a great maturity and knows that has to continue ahead. He knows that these things occur. These negative things help him grow as a man.
"He feels thanks to the people of Hearts.
"Mauricio has in this club a deal that he never had in any team, he is very grateful and wants to return all this investment to Hearts like he knows how to – playing and scoring goals."
Hearts are nursing concerns over winger Andy Driver for this weekend's Scottish Cup match with Motherwell. Caretaker manager Stephen Frail revealed: "Driver will be touch and go but we'll give him every possible chance to be available.
"Marius (Zaliukas] is available after suspension but it's whether or not he's ok after his injury.
"Michael Stewart will come back into contention, as will Lee Wallace, so we're pretty much back to full strength with what we've had over the last few weeks.
"I've got my thoughts on the weekend. It's important that everyone who does come into the team is ready for it."
The full article contains 489 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
