Hearts to start contract talks with Andy Irving

Hearts will open contract talks with Andy Irving in the coming weeks hoping to agree a new long-term deal.
Hearts want to keep young midfielder Andy Irving.Hearts want to keep young midfielder Andy Irving.
Hearts want to keep young midfielder Andy Irving.

The 20-year-old midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season but is viewed as an important player for the future at Tynecastle Park.

He returned to the starting line-up at Morton on Saturday and dictated periods of the 2-0 win, setting up Jamie Walker’s second goal with a raking crossfield pass.

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With his existing agreement just months away from expiring, Hearts officials will now ask Irving to commit his future to them.

“He is definitely one we want to keep and one we are going to start speaking to,” said manager Robbie Neilson in an exclusive interview with the Evening News.

“We want to try to get him extended because there is no doubt he is a really good talent. I think he still has a long way to go and a lot to learn.

“You saw on Saturday that Andy can come out at 20 and dictate a game in the Championship on a difficult pitch. That shows his qualities.

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“He also played a great ball for the second goal. He is a Hearts man and we will be doing everything we can to keep him.”

Irving is a graduate of the Riccarton youth academy who made his senior Hearts debut in 2017. After loan spells at Berwick Rangers and Falkirk, he is now an established member of Neilson’s first-team squad.

He made his Scotland Under-21 debut against San Marino in October this year having previously represented his country at under-17 and under-19 level.

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