NAIS IN THE RIGHT PLACE

Tynecastle chief Budge open to new deal for young boss as suitors begin to circle

- ALAN MARSHALL

ANN BUDGE insists she would be open to giving Steven Naismith a new deal after he was linked with Millwall.

The Championship side are reportedly keeping tabs on the 37-year-old Hearts boss despite only recently appointing Neil Harris.

In his first full season in the dugout, Naismith has got the Jambos 13 points clear in third place, with a Scottish Cup quarter-final against Morton to look forward to.

He only signed a contract in the summer that runs until summer 2025, with the option to extend. But things have gone better than expecte and chairperson Budge wants to make sure Hearts do all they can to keep Naismith for as long as possible.

She said: "Is there an appetite to extend his deal? I would probably say yes to that but Steven has been in this game a long time and I don't know if he would be prepared to make that commitment or not.