Hibs join Hearts in chase for Lafferty

The 29-year-old Northern Irishman, who was in Edinburgh on Friday for talks with Hearts, is available on a free transfer after leaving Norwich City.

Hearts expect a response from Lafferty in the next 24 hours BBC Scotland said.

Meanwhile, Hibs are hopeful of keeping John McGinn after rejecting a bid from English Championship side Ipswich Town.

McGinn, 22, has been a stand-out performer for the Easter Road side since moving from St Mirren in 2015.

The midfielder, who has picked up three Scotland caps, played a key role as Hibs secured promotion to the Premiership last season, winning the Championship player of the year award.

Lafferty left Rangers in 2012, joining Swiss side Sion before moving to Italy’s Serie A with Palermo. A switch to Norwich followed, and he was subsequently loaned to Turkish side Rizespor and then Birmingham City.

p Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha has vowed to repay eager supporters after they celebrated Dave King’s new retail detail by clearing the club shop of stock.

The Ibrox faithful have been in jubilant mood since chairman King announced last week he had struck a peace pact with Mike Ashley.

The controversial seven-year retail agreement set up by the previous Gers board which earned the club just 7p from every pound spent on Rangers merchandise has been ripped up.

And a new one-year deal has been struck with Ashley’s Sports Direct firm - while the Newcastle owner has also sold off his remaining Gers shares.

The news sparked a wave of excitement amongst Rangers fans - who had previously boycotted club merchandise - as they raced to the megastore to snap up as many jerseys as they could.

Now Caixinha, who has been promised a budget windfall on the back of the sales rush, has told RangersTV: “It is fantastic.”