LIAM Boyce was last night edging closer to a move to Scottish Premiership side Hearts after Burton Albion accepted an improved bid for the Belfast striker.
Boyce was understood to be close to agreeing personal terms with a three-and-a-half-year deal believed to be on the table. The Tynecastle club were hopeful that the transfer could be finalised in time for the player to join the squad for tomorrow’s home game with Rangers.
Hearts currently sit bottom of the Scottish Premiership, four points behind Hamilton. They have managed just 18 goals in their 22 league games to date and with three goals, midfielder Ryotaro Meshino is currently their top scorer in the division.
Boyce, who had been linked with a move to Sunderland earlier in January, has scored 14 times in 33 games for League One Burton this season. They currently sit ninth in the table and just two points off the play-off spots having won five of their last six league games. Boyce scored in four of those wins, including a brace against Tranmere Rovers.
The 28-year-old joined Nigel Clough’s side from Ross County in 2017 and has scored 31 goals in 94 appearances overall.
The former Cliftonville player was in the final six months of his Burton contract, and a number of other clubs are believed to have contacted the English club about his availability.
