ALLY McCOIST insisted he didn't want to be seen to be "hovering like a vulture" but you can be sure the Rangers manager will be monitoring the situation.
So will many others, looking for possible bargains or players who, in a normal situation, wouldn't be on the market midway through a season.
Yes, the great Hearts fire sale will soon be under way, with no player off limits and every reasonable offer considered. Owner Vladimir Romanov is, supposedly, keen to offload the club having grown disillusioned with football but, until any takeover deal can be struck, Hearts will make every effort to reduce their costs by shipping out high earners and players they hope could bring in a reasonable fee. If it is as extreme as has been suggested, then, by the end of January, manager Paulo Sergio could be left in charge of a group of inexperienced teenagers.
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