Rangers boss Ally McCoist still keen on signing Hearts defender Ryan McGowan

Rangers are hoping to land Ryan McGowan when their transfer embargo ends

Rangers boss Ally McCoist admits he is still interested in signing Hearts defender Ryan McGowan.

The Glasgow club are transfer embargoed until September but McCoist has refused to rule out a move for the Australian international, who is currently in China in talks with Shandong Luneng Taishan.

Financially-troubled Hearts accepted a £400,000 offer from Shandong for McGowan but the 23-year-old is only expected to commit himself until November, when Rangers may step up their interest.

McCoist said: "He's a good player. Ryan is a player we obviously tried to get earlier.

"He's like everybody else, we keep a completely open mind and we monitor players who we have been watching and we will continue to do that. I would absolutely rule nothing out."

Rangers failed in a previous bid for the player - after he won last season's Hearts Young Player of the Year award, the Jambos rejected a £1.3m offer for McGowan and winger David Templeton.

McCoist also admitted he is keen to tie contracts with several of his current squad - particularly promising 20-year-old defender Chris Hegarty.

McCoist said of the Irishman: "If there is one player in the squad who probably deserves a contract, it would be Hegarty.

"I haven't had any great lengthy discussions with him, just brief discussions with him.

"He's earned the opportunity to get himself a new contract, with the way he has come into the team and the way he has performed.

"We have to look outside but we have to reward the players who deserve new contracts as well. He is one we will look at."

Hegarty himself added: "To be honest, I'm just taking things week by week and game by game at the minute but I'd love to extend my contract.

"The club will obviously know I can speak to other teams now but I'm hoping something will happen in the next wee while here.

"It would be good if they came to me sooner rather than later with a new deal because I don't want to leave things as late as last season.

"I came back to the club not knowing what was happening in the summer but I'm here now and any time someone wants to give me a new contract I would be happy to sign it."

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