Liam Boyce nearing Hearts transfer exit as striker holds talks over Northern Ireland return to end 'difficult' final year
Liam Boyce is set to leave Hearts as he closes in on a move to Derry City.
Record Sport understands talks with the League of Ireland outfit are taking place and that he could depart over the weekend. Derry's pre-season is set to begin on Monday and a deal could be sealed by then, provided there are no issues with his scheduled medical.
The experienced front man has started the last three games under Neil Critchley as the Jambos put together their best run of the season. Boyce returned to the starting XI against former club Ross County, which finished in a 2-2 draw after a stunning stoppage time collapse. But he kept his place for wins over Motherwell and Dundee Utd as the capital club showed some much needed improvement. Boyce's know-how has had a positive effect on teenage hot shot James Wilson in particular and it looked like he was set to play an important role under Critchley in the second part of the season.
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However, the opportunity to get regular playing time is thought to appeal to the 33-year-old, combined with the opportunity to move his family back home nearer his native Belfast. The move also allows Hearts to get one of their higher earners off the wage bill and free up some space in the budget for Critchley to make further additions to his squad after capturing Elton Kabangu and Jamie McCart so far.
Boyce arrived in Gorgie back in January 2020 from Burton Albion and the consensus was that his goals would help fire Daniel Stendel's side to safety. But despite netting a debut winner against Rangers, the forward and his teammates struggled to put points on the board and the men in maroon were demoted to the Championship after Covid ended the campaign early.
A serious knee injury suffered in 2022/23 kept him out for the best part of a year, only for a hamstring tear to virtually end his campaign in December last term. Boyce admitted this week that the final year of his deal has been a difficult one.
He said: “I just want to play football. I train, try and stay ready. It's difficult, I think I should be playing.
"Every player does. It’s not my decision. All I can do is stay ready and, when I get a chance, I need to take it.
“It's been really tough. I want to help my team-mates. When you don't get the chance to, it is hard to take. It is sort of different when you have been injured a long time you can't play.
"When you are fit and have missed that amount of time and you feel like you can play and help, then you don't get the chance, it's hard to take. That's behind me, I played a game (vs Ross County) and I'm happy, not with the result but how I performed. I'll just seen what happens next week. I'll train and just stay ready.
“I haven't been told anything. I think it is in January you can sign elsewhere. I haven't spoken to the gaffer, nothing has been said. I'll just keep training, see what comes along and, if it is good for me and my family, I'll decide then.”
