Livingston defender James Penrice has reportedly entered negotiations with Hearts about the prospect of a summer transfer to Tynecastle.
As reported by Edinburgh Evening News, talks on the move come due to the 25-year-old’s contract at the Tony Macaroni Arena expiring at the end of the season.
Penrice has featured in 29 matches for the West Lothian club so far this season and has scored four goals in 107 appearances since joining from Partick Thistle in June 2021.
He is said to have expressed his intention not to remain at the Lions if they are relegated to the Scottish Championship with David Martindale’s side currently six points adrift at the bottom of the table.
The Gorgie club has made Penrice high on their list of targets as they aim to secure an adaptable full-back, who can also operate on the wing.
And with the prospect of European football, the former Thistle player is believed to be interested in joining Steven Naismith’s men ahead of the 2024/25 season.
READ MORE: Hearts secure Yan Dhanda on pre-contract agreement
Meanwhile, Steven Naismith lauded his Hearts team for taking command of the race for third place in the cinch Premiership after “getting battered” with criticism during a slow start to the season.
The Jambos moved 10 points clear of fourth-place Kilmarnock on Saturday as a Jorge Grant penalty and a 19th goal of the season for Lawrence Shankland secured a 2-0 win over Aberdeen.
It was a 10th victory in 13 league games for the Edinburgh side, who came under fire in the autumn after winning just three of their opening 10.
“We are in a very good position,” said Naismith. “Our form recently has been really good. After a slow start and getting battered in the press, we have continued to just get on with our business.
“Internally we are comfortable and we are getting our rewards from that. We don’t panic. We didn’t panic against Spartans (in the Scottish Cup), we played to the end and got our goal.
“We were 2-0 down against Dundee and came back. But we have got to see it as, any successful player’s mentality is always ‘I’m doing well, but how can I get to the next bit?’
“Whether you’re a young player breaking into the team or Shanks scoring goals, it’s always ‘how can we be better?’. We are building that mentality and that’s what we need to have.”
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