Hibs set to beat Hearts to signature of left-back Sean Mackie

HIBS are firm favourites to sign Raith Rovers defender Sean Mackie after the teenager passed a medical yesterday.

Sean Mackie has signed a four-and-a-half year deal

Personal terms have yet to be finalised but the left-back is keen to accept the Easter Road club’s contract and reject Hearts’ advances.

Hibs have agreed an initial fee of £25,000 in compensation with Raith Rovers as Mackie’s contract was due to expire in June 2017. He had received offers from both Hearts and Hibs and spent the last few days mulling over his decision.

Provided terms can be agreed, he will join the Hibs development squad and, in time, is expected to challenge Lewis Stevenson for the left-back position at first-team level.

Mackie made his senior debut for Raith last August at the age of 16. He joined them last summer as the first youngster to graduate to Stark’s Park from the Fife Elite Football Academy.

Ironically, he had been released by Hibs in his early teens but may now get a second crack at making the grade in Leith.