BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Falkirk are weighing up moves for Tynecastle teens Sean McKirdy and Liam Henderson, with the duo set to leave Hearts this summer.
The pair, who are both set to feature in this evening’s SFA Youth Cup final against Motherwell at Hampden, recently trained with the Bairns as they weigh up their options for next season.
Falkirk manager Peter Houston is understood to have been impressed, particularly by gifted playmaker McKirdy, however he is reluctant to make any move until his budget for next term is confirmed.
That will not become clear until they know which division the club will be playing in, with the Championship outfit still firmly in the hunt for promotion to the Premiership through the playoffs.
“I think they’ve been told they might be allowed to move on so I asked if I could see them in training,” confirmed Houston. “I believe Sean has been interesting a few other clubs, too.
“They are two young lads who came in and trained really well, their attitude was brilliant and their performances were very good.
“Sean’s a fine player and I know he had a first-team game for Hearts against Inverness.
“However, I haven’t made up my mind just yet. I’ll need to find out my budget and see what division we are in.
“Put it this way, if it suited our budget and situation, and both players were still looking for a club, then I would maybe ask one, or both, if they were interested in coming here.”
McKirdy, 18, has long been regarded as one of the brightest talents at Hearts and has already made six appearances for the capital club, including his top-flight league debut against Inverness last September.
However, with a wealth of options in midfield, and the predicted emergence of Angus Beith next term, he will be allowed to leave the club when his contract expires in the close season.
Henderson, 19, joined Hearts from Hutchison Vale in 2014 and made his first-team debut last season for a much-changed Jambos side in their 4-1 Petrofac Training Cup defeat against Livingston.
He spent the first half of this season on loan with Stenhousemuir, making 14 outings for the League One outfit and scoring once.
