Hearts winger McCann to sign for Falkirk

HEARTS winger Neil McCann was scheduled to undergo a medical at Falkirk today as he prepares to sign a two-year contract with John Hughes' side.

The 33-year-old is free to leave Tynecastle after contract negotiations with the club hierarchy stalled. His two-and-a-half-year deal is due for expiry and he hopes to finalise a move to Falkirk by this evening.

Other parties interested in McCann are understood to include Jim Jefferies' Kilmarnock but Falkirk remain clear favourites to secure the former Scotland international. During contract discussions with Hearts, the club stated their wish for McCann to assume more coaching responsibilities whilst remaining registered as a player.

Although keen to augment his coaching skills during his veteran years, the winger is determined to continue in a predominantly playing context for as long as possible after losing much of the last two years to injury.

Hughes today spoke of his delight at luring the player to Falkirk. "It's fantastic for us to be getting a player of Neil McCann's quality and experience. I knew after speaking to him for two minutes that he will play a big part for us. He still has that twinkle in his eye and that enthusiasm.

"We have a lot of young players at Falkirk and my team on Saturday was aged 23 and under. Neil's experience will help them massively. He's a right good footballer, and who better to learn from than someone who has done what he has done in the game?

"He'll sign a playing contract but I know he's into the coaching side and studying for badges so there will be opportunities for him in that area at Falkirk."

McCann, a member of Hearts' 1998 Scottish Cup-winning side, returned to Tynecastle from Southampton in January 2006 during Graham Rix's brief tenure.

He injured medial knee ligaments on his debut at Rugby Park and sustained a double leg break against Celtic earlier this season. He believes defecting to Falkirk will offer a fresh beginning and his admiration for Hughes' management skills is thought to be a major factor in the move.

Meanwhile, Hearts were today studying video footage of last night's defeat by Gretna at Fir Park before deciding whether to appeal Gary Glen's red card.

Interim manager Stephen Frail visited the referee's room after the match for clarification from John Underhill on why the teenager had been dismissed. "The ref said he felt Gary kicked him (Gretna's Craig Barr], which is violent conduct, but he was sent off for an elbow.

"I need to take his word for it but I need to see it again before we make a decision on it. We'll certainly look at it."