BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
HEARTS are running the rule over Rico Quitongo, the son of former Tynecastle winger Jose.
The 18-year-old left-back is available on a free transfer after leaving Premiership rivals Hamilton earlier this month.
Quitongo is training with the Jambos’ development squad, while the senior side jet out to Spain for their winter training camp and friendlies against Vitesse Arnhem and Nurnburg.
Rico, whose brother Jai has been capped for Scotland at under-21 level, failed to make a senior appearance after coming through the ranks at New Douglas Park but did feature in four Irn-Bru Cup ties for the club’s under-20s.
He spent a period on loan at Junior outfit Bo’ness United in the first half of this season.
If Hearts boss Craig Levein snaps up Quitongo, it is understood he would initially be used in the development squad with a view towards challenging for a first-team breakthrough.
Left-back has been a problem position for the Jambos this terms, with Rafal Grzelak, Jamie Brandon, Ashley Smith-Brown and Daniel Baur all filling in there on occasion this term, and Levein has made it clear he intends to address the issue this month.
Quitongo’s father, Jose, was a cult hero in Gorgie from 1997 to 1999, and scored five goals in 45 appearances – including famous efforts against Hibs and Celtic – despite struggling to cement a starting berth under Jim Jefferies.
He also turned out for the likes of Benfica, Hamilton, Livingston, Kilmarnock and Pollok during a journeyman career.
